Coronavirus: 35-case spike fails to deter Sydney beach, park crowds

It seems little can deter Sydneysiders from getting about on a sunny Saturday — not even a highly infectious Covid-19 variant.

Crowds are seen along Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

It seems little can deter Sydneysiders from getting out about on a sunny winter day — not a highly infectious Covid-19 variant, a city lockdown or a plea from its Premier.

Crowds could be found at the city’s most iconic beach, Bondi, as well as one of its most treasured grounds Centennial Park on Saturday as NSW recorded it’s largest spike in Covid-19 cases since lockdown began.

A total of 35 locally acquired cases and five overseas-acquired cases were recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm Friday.

Despite this, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian issued a somewhat reassuring message during the state’s daily Covid-19 update.

“The green shoots of the lockdown doing what we hoped it would are certainly there,” she said.

“We have not seen a huge surge in cases and we certainly feel through our contact tracing that we are not at any stage missing any chains of community transmission.”

NSW recorded 35 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, of which 29 are linked to previously confirmed cases. pic.twitter.com/RMAqx2qlmc

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) July 3, 2021

Ms Berejiklian anticipated an increased number of Sydneysiders would head out to enjoy a sunny high of 17C and in turn made a plea to those struggling with the stay-at-home orders.

“Can I please urge people to be sensible today, especially after a week of having to stay at home except for essential purposes,” she said

“If you do want relief from your home today, if you have been staying at home and doing the right thing, please avoid shopping centres or indoor areas.”

NSW Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys confirmed that dozens of Sydneysiders have broken public health orders, some of whom have been caught hundreds of kilometres from the city.

“In the last 24 hours 78 personal infringement notices have been issued to people for going outside the public health order,” he said.

Mr Worboys confirmed a group from Sydney who drove more than 200km to the Jenolan Caves because “they were feeling bored” have been fined $1000 each.

The owner of a cafe in Jindabyne, some 460km from Sydney, who refused to follow police orders has also been arrested, he said.

“One of the owners of the cafe was arrested and placed on bail conditions for working that cafe outside of the public health orders,” he said.

“That was reported to public health who have issued a show cause notice to the cafe owners as to why they should not be shut down.”

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard delivered a message to those with “whacko views” who continually refuse to defy health advice.

“When you’re in a war, you don’t win it with whacko views. Unfortunately, we’re seeing that with some people who think it’s OK not to wear masks,” he said.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant confirmed 29 of the new cases are linked to previously confirmed cases, 14 of which are household contacts.

“Of the 35 new locally acquired cases, 23 were in isolation throughout their infectious period,” she said.

“A further three cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period and nine cases were infectious in the community. Six cases remain under investigation.”

“What we are encouraging you to do is to minimise your retail and shopping, minimise as much as possible your exposure in indoor settings. Stay socially distanced.”