Coronavirus: Bondi Beach closed over ‘unacceptable’ crowds

Beachgoers threatened with police action after crowds ‘flout’ new public health regulations.

Beachgoers at Bondi on Friday, despite the threat of coronavirus and social distancing measures.

Lifeguards at Sydney’s Tamarama Beach are warning stubborn beachgoers that police are on their way to remove those who are refusing to leave.

About 200 people were ignoring directions to pack up after Waverley Council confirmed the beach’s closure.

Visibly frustrated lifeguards are working through the crowd person-by-person after many failed to heed orders broadcast repeatedly over the loudspeaker to move on.

Waverley Council is closing Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama beaches effective immediately in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The mayor of Waverley Paula Masselos said the council would take down the flags at the beaches on Saturday afternoon in a response to restrictions on public gatherings and social distancing.

Surreal scenes at Bondi Beach- punters have a final dip before the beach closes. The flags have been taken down as life savers usher people away. A stark contrast to the photos the crowded shores yesterday. #covid19australia @australian pic.twitter.com/2xcw0V0B9n

— Adeshola Ore (@AdesholaOre) March 21, 2020

NSW Police Minister David Elliott warned police would intervene if there was a repeat of scenes like those at Bondi Beach this week, where hundreds of people “flouted” new public health regulations by not practising social distancing.

He said footage of beachgoers sharing communal shower and change facilities and carrying on life as normal was disappointing and a risk to public health.

“This is not something we are doing because we are the fun police,” Mr Elliott said.

Surf lifesavers at NSW beaches will have the right to move people on if numbers exceed 500 people and non-compliant beaches will be closed after beachgoers failed to heed social distancing warnings this week.

“The beach is now closed. You need to leave the water” - life guards tell beach goers to leave Sydney’s Bondi as council closed beach due to restrictions on public outdoor gatherings over 500 people. #covid19australia @australian pic.twitter.com/HZB6xKrKS1

— Adeshola Ore (@AdesholaOre) March 21, 2020

Mr Elliott said the government, in consultation with local police and surf lifesaving authorities would work to ensure beaches adhere to the current health warnings.

“We will now be seeing beaches across the state that fail to comply with the public gathering regulations closed,” Minister Elliott told reporters at Bondi on Saturday.

“That is to say Surf Lifesaving will advise the local area command that they believe the public gathering is not complying, they will shut down the beach and order people to move on. If people don’t comply, then the police will then have the power to move on individuals.”

He said the images coming out of Bondi Beach in recent days with hordes of people in close proximity was the “most irresponsible behaviour of individuals we’ve seen so far”.

“That is in complete denial of what this virus is all about. I for one am disappointed and I for one, as the police minister, cannot sit by and watch the community ignore the laws and blatantly flout them.”

Confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia have topped 1000, with an additional 83 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in NSW in just 24 hours, taking the state’s total to 436.

Mayor Masselos said she was frustrated the public was not following social distancing guidelines.

“If you are thinking of coming to the beach, don’t. We all need to take our share of responsibility in keeping ourselves and each other safe.”

She said the council was in talks with police to enact plans to control crowd numbers.

Ms Masselos said council was also working with the Chamber of Commerce to minimise the impact on businesses in the area.

“We’ve already put a number of measures in place such as allowing businesses to be able to spread out on the footpath so there’s that opportunity for social distancing. A number of businesses are moving to home delivery and pick up services.”

For many businesses, reduced crowd numbers because of beach closures will be further unwelcome news.

Clothing store Between The Flags is located within metres of the footpath that hugs the beach’s shoreline.

Employee Carla Cardozo said she hopes people will still visit the Bondi area, despite potential further closures.

“It’s bad for us, but I think there will still be people around because it’s so iconic this area.”

Beachgoers at Bondi told The Weekend Australian social distancing was possible on the beach, as the state government announced tightening its patrolling of outdoor gatherings at the popular site.

Liz Binet said authorities could support the enacted measures.

“The lifeguards should be assuring that we are 1.5 metres away from each other. I tried to maintain it in the water yesterday, but some people were unaware. Young people think they are invincible.”

But US exchange student Kylie Gannan said it was concerning to hear about thousands of people lounging on the beach on Friday.

“I don’t think people are taking it seriously. It still seems packed here and thereafter more people than should be. Some of our beaches back home in Florida have already shut.”

As surf life savers folded up flags at Bondi, local council staff began telling punters lounging on the shore to leave.

Lifeguards on patrol used a megaphone to alert swimmers in the water to return to the shore, announcing “the beach is now closed.”

Irish couple Naomi Flynn, 26 and Colm Houlihan, 25 were visiting Bondi Beach for the first time as the closure was announced.

“I ran in for a dip so I can say I got to actually go in the water just before they said it was closed. It’s amazing and I saw them filming Bondi Rescue, so two good things today.”

“They’re just doing it for everyone’s protection and to look out for everyone. At the end of the day, we’re in Australia were beautiful.”

The Federal Health Minister has called the failure to adhere to social distancing ‘unacceptable’.

Photos of beachgoers ignoring social distancing measures have been harshly criticised by foreign media and on social media as the world attempts to slow the spread of the deadly virus.

“The public must at all times keep a minimum safe distance from each other in public places and if you don’t need to be out in public, please consider staying at home,” Mr Masselos said.

“We all have a role to play in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and I am frustrated that people continue to ignore health advice about social distancing as observed yesterday at Bondi Beach.”

“No-one is immune to COVID-19 and behaving irresponsibly puts the entire community at risk,” Mr Masselos said.

Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters in Melbourne that local councils needed to ensure people were observing health and safety measures.

“What happened in Bondi was unacceptable and the local council must take steps to stop that occurring,” Mr Hunt said.

“Each of us as individuals, as families, as groups, as councils, as state governments, as a national government has responsibility.

“Where something like this is occurring the local council must step in and that message is absolutely clear.”

With AAP