Police threaten to close Bondi Beach and walks over busy crowds

NSW police have warned they may be forced to shut down popular coastal walks and beaches if “arrogant” residents don’t obey lockdown rules.

NSW Police has warned popular coastal walks may be shut down following images and video showing residents flocking to the areas, flouting Covid lockdown rules.

Over the weekend, images showed crowds of people at Bondi Beach and along Manly’s foreshore on the northern beaches, seemingly ignoring health orders to stay at home unless “absolutely essential”.

Beachside suburbs in particular have now been warned that their favourite coastal walks may also face a form of lockdown if residents continue to congregate unnecessarily.

RELATED: Melbourne outbreak hits Queensland

Police have warned they may close beaches. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Flavio Brancaleone

RELATED: Victoria records nine new Covid-19 cases

On Monday, Police Minister David Elliott warned Bondi Beach is at risk of being closed again after he became enraged at reports and pictures of residents crowded on the sand and boardwalk.

It is understood Mr Elliott held crisis talks late on Sunday with police to discuss options around closing the eastern suburbs beaches.

The Daily Telegraphreports Mr Elliott was concerned by the number of people congregating and walking around the eastern suburbs compared with places like Fairfield in the west.

People have been flocking to the eastern suburb coastal walks. Picture: Daily Telegraph/Gaye Gerard

“I can’t believe the good people of Fairfield have responded with an A-plus and the people of the eastern suburbs seem to think Covid won’t infect them,” he said.

“It’s like they are living on another planet. It’s not only selfish but it is arrogance of the highest order.”

According to reports, police warned that this week they’ll be asking people for proof of where they live to ensure they aren’t breaking the rules and travelling outside their 10km limit for exercise.

Metropolitan Field Operations Deputy Commissioner Malcolm Lanyon confirmed on Sunday that there is now a requirement for people to produce ID when requested by police.

It comes as NSW recorded a further 98 cases on Monday and 78 cases on Tuesday as the Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Wollongong regions enter their fourth week of lockdown, which is currently due to end on July 30.

People exercising at Manly Beach in Sydney. Picture: Julian Andrews

During the peak of last year’s lockdown, Sydney beaches were closed to stop people crowding on the sand and the popular Bondi to Coogee coastal walk was taped off. But this time, both remain open.

Earlier this month, when the eastern suburbs was considered the epicentre of the Greater Sydney outbreak, crowds of people were pictured enjoying the sun around places like Centennial Park.

Speaking to news.com.au, a visitor told news.com.au it was “mayhem” with cars and maskless crowds and that she had “never seen it so busy”.

Currently, in the local government areas of Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown and Fairfield, lockdown restrictions are harsher than anywhere else in the state with police handing out fines for residents and businesses deemed to not be following the rules.

Manly was booming over the weekend. Picture: Julian Andrews

Police have warned of further action against people flouting Covid rules. Picture: Julian Andrews

But Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos defended the Bondi area, saying residents were doing their best to abide by the rules and just trying to do their daily essential exercise lawfully.

“We only have an area of just 8sq km and we’ve got 75,000 people,” she told Nine News.

“So we are very highly densely populated and our open spaces are where people go to recreate.”

Medical experts have expressed little concerns, however, over the large crowds pictured outdoors given the low risk of the virus being transmitted while exercising outdoors.

“Of course the Delta strain does transmit outdoors but only in very close circumstances,” Federal deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth said.

Sydney’s sunny weather has seen crowds of people out and about without masks. Picture: Daily Telegraph/Gaye Gerard

“If you’re walking past someone during your morning exercise, that is not going to be an issue.

“I think that, of course, the risk of transmission outdoors is exceptionally low and as long as people are following the rules, as stipulated by the NSW Government, it doesn’t matter where they are in Sydney.”