Coronavirus restrictions: Police crack down on sunbathers at Gold Coast beaches

Police have been cracking down on sunbathers continuing to ignore social distancing restrictions, moving people off closed Gold Coast beaches.

Phoebe Loomes

@dollyybird

less than 2 min read

April 10, 2020 - 6:27PM

Easter long weekend: can I still go on holiday?

Queensland Police have cracked down on sunbathers who flouted social distancing restrictions on Good Friday on closed beaches on the Gold Coast.

Officers were seen moving people along at the beach at Burleigh Heads today, with numerous sunbathers told to get off the sand.

A spokesman for Queensland Police told news.com.au there was widespread enforcement of social distancing measures happening across the state. People failing to comply with the measures in Queensland face fines of up to $1334.

A couple are moved on at Burleigh on the Gold Coast. Picture: Darren England

Police move on a sunbather from the beach at Burleigh Heads. Picture: Darren England

The Gold Coast Council closed beaches in Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta this week. They also closed thousands of nearby car parks to deter visitors.

“We will shut as many as we can by Easter so the message is out there. There is no point coming to the beaches, you will have nowhere to park,” Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said.

As well as the shutdown of Gold Coast beaches, Queensland camping grounds and national parks have also been closed. The state has also closed islands off the coast to visitors.

Police are also clamping down on boat enthusiasts, who are now only allowed on the water for essential travel or to catch fish for food.

No more than two people, or only immediate family members, are allowed on board a boat.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warned Queenslanders to stay home, saying the threat of the global pandemic is far from over.

“Do the right thing and stay in Queensland,” she said.

“Stay in your state, stay in your region, stay in your suburb.”

—with AAP