Crowds flock to Sydney beaches to beat heat

Throngs of beachgoers have flocked to Sydney’s eastern suburbs beaches despite the city being in lockdown, but the government has declared it the “safest place” to be.

Beachgoers flocked to Sydney’s sands on Saturday as the mercury nudged over 30 degrees but Health Minister Brad Hazzard denied they posed a Covid threat.

Throngs of people flocked to the water’s edge as temperatures ticked over 30C at Sydney Airport just before 3pm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

While out west temperatures reached 30.4C at Penrith.

Warm conditions are again expected on Sunday, with a top of 29C and clear conditions forecast for the city before dropping back down for the rest of the week.

Local residents packed into Sydney’s eastern suburbs beaches including Clovelly, Bronte and Bondi.

Crowds packed into Bondi Beach on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone.

Large crowds gathered at Bondi to beat the heat on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone.

Police were out in force, ensuring that people were wearing masks, abiding by social distancing rules and the public health order.

According to lockdown restrictions, residents must stay within their local government area or within a 5km radius of their home.

Woollahra Council said they were forced to close Redleaf Beach and Camp Cove in the morning because of capacity issues.

“Please choose another time or location to visit,” the council said in a Facebook post before the beaches were later reopened.

#SAFETY Lifesaver 21 & 23 doing coastal surveillance checks along the coast. Remember to be #watersafe as well as #COVIDsafe . @slsnsw#lifesaverhelopic.twitter.com/Xqe9IAt7ws

— Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters (@Lifesaverhelo) September 11, 2021

Asked if he was concerned about the prospect of packed beaches, Mr Hazzard said he was more alarmed by residents who were unvaccinated.

“Fresh air we know is the safest place to be at the present time,” he said.

“But we do state, maintain your social distance and be careful.

“While we have many more to get vaccinated, we do have risks.”

Police were out in force patrolling Sydney’s packed beaches. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone.

On a day when NSW recorded 1,599 new Covid cases, Mr Hazzard said he was unworried by people gathering in groups around the water’s edge.

“I know the media will have photographs today of people out and about, they tend to do that,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Generally that is a safe place to be.”