Coronavirus Australia: Coogee, Maroubra, Clovelly beaches reopen for exercise only

Beaches in Sydney will reopen today in an easing of social distancing restrictions. But this does not mean things have gone back to normal.

Beaches in Sydney have reopened today to allow people to exercise in an easing of social distancing restrictions.

Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches in Sydney’s south-east will be available for select activities from Monday, April 20 including sand jogging, walking, swimming and surfing.

The catch? You can't sunbathe or sit on the sand.

The 1.5m social distancing rule must also be maintained for beachgoers, and groups are still limited to two people.

The beaches were closed by Randwick Council last month to stop large groups heading to the beach.

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Popular Bondi Beach in Sydney was empty on April 17. Picture: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

Beaches were closed to discourage large groups. Picture: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

Randwick mayor Danny Said said the council’s decision to close the beaches was “based upon expected crowd numbers and people’s initial behaviour in relation to social distancing rules”.

He said he was “confident” that the community could now practice social distancing and still enjoy the beaches for exercise.

“I need to stress that our beaches are not open to general use and can only be accessed for exercise. Activities such as sitting on the sand, sunbaking or gathering in groups will not be permitted and council staff and police will be enforcing these restrictions,” he said.

“I urge everybody to do the right thing and practice social distancing while exercising so that we can maintain access for exercise purposes and get through this difficult period together.”

Ocean rock pools in Randwick City will remain closed until further notice as they are subject to a public health order to close.

Sydney's popular Bondi Beach remains closed, as well as Tamarama and Bronte beaches, according to Waverley Council.

Empty and drained pools are seen at the Bondi Icebergs in Sydney. Picture: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

A Bondi icon was arrested for allegedly breaching coronavirus restrictions in dramatic scenes caught on camera.

A popular, longtime Bondi local has been arrested for allegedly breaching coronavirus restrictions in dramatic scenes caught on camera.

Dimitri Moskovich, 54, was pinned to the ground by two uniformed officers who claim he became “quarrelsome and argumentative” on Sunday. He is well-known in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for his intense outdoor workouts in public spaces.

“About 3.30pm, police approached the 54-year-old man after noticing him walking through fencing near the rock platform at Ben Buckler Point, allegedly contravening the local government signs stating the area was closed,” police said in a statement.

“Police attempted to speak to the man, however he walked away. As police approached him again it is alleged he became quarrelsome and argumentative.

“He was arrested and taken to Waverley Police Station and is currently assisting with inquiries.”

People were ordered to stop surfing by lifeguards. Picture: Monique Harmer

Last week, surfers at Tamarama were seen climbing over fences to go for a surf despite the beach being closed. Picture: David Swift

The northern beaches council area – which includes Dee Why, Avalon and Collaroy – were recently reopened for exercise purposes only after being shut in the lead-up to Easter.

NSW Health identified Randwick and Waverley as coronavirus hot spots last week after a number of cases of community transmissions.