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A Bunch Of Beaches Have Been Closed Because We Can't Be Trusted With Social Distancing

"No-one is immune to COVID-19 and behaving irresponsibly puts the entire community at risk.”

For those of us who have been holed up in our houses for the last week in an attempt to stop the spread of the coronavirus, it comes as very little surprise to see that several Sydney councils have been forced to close a number of iconic beaches around the city because some of us clearly can’t be trusted to stick to social distancing.

Photos of a packed Bondi went viral on Friday as thousands of beachgoers ignored social distancing measures.

Bondi, Bronte, Clovelly, Coogee, Maroubra, Tamarama, Redhead, Blacksmiths, Caves Beach and Catherin Hill Bay have been closed in order to stop people from gathering in groups of 500 or more outdoors, which is a government imposed ban already in place.

NSW Police Minister David Elliott spoke to Channel 7 on Sunday morning and said the hundreds of people who have shown up to Bondi will be asked to leave.

“We aren’t doing this because we are the fun police. We don’t close these public spaces because we want to punish people.

“Some people are just stupid and want to take the risk. Some people people they think are above the law.”

A spokesperson for Minister Elliott also told News.Com.Au the closure was effective immediately and added, “Beach goers are clearly not complying. The PM has announced a ban of people over 500 for outdoor arrangements.”

They added that the ban would be extended to other beaches if people are still not complying.

At this stage, the ban is only in place for NSW, but the spokesperson added that it should be made a nationwide restriction.

If people fail to comply with public health orders, they could be fined up to $11,000 or receive six months of jail time.

Randwick Mayor Danny Said spoke about the closures saying, “Given the sunny weather forecast of 27 degrees for Sunday, it is highly likely that beach numbers will exceed the 500-person cap announced by the NSW Government today.”

“The safest approach for everybody is for us not to open the beaches,” he said.

Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos added the beaches will be closed “until further notice”

“We have only just found out about this announcement, and need time to work through how it translates to the practical day to day,” she said.

“If you’re from across wider Sydney and are thinking to coming to Bondi, I welcome you to visit our local businesses but please don’t plan on going to the beach as it is closed.”

“I want to reiterate that this is a time to be kind, while being vigilant in maintaining social distancing recommendations, as well personal hygiene and staying home if you’re feeling unwell.

“If you are being asked to leave the beach, please be respectful to our Lifeguards and Surf Lifesaving volunteers. They are doing their jobs in keeping our beaches safe.

“We all have a role to play in preventing the spread of COVID-19. We all need to behave in a safe and responsible manner so that the spread of this virus can be slowed. No-one is immune to COVID-19 and behaving irresponsibly puts the entire community at risk.”

Minister Elliott has also said that beaches will be patrolled to ensure there is no more than 500 people on the sand at a time.

He added that he was disappointed by the behaviour seen at beaches across Sydney on Friday and Saturday.

“I for one am disappointed … I cannot sit by and watch the community not only ignore the laws but blatantly flout them,” he said of the images of thousands of sunbathers on Bondi Beach on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.

“What we saw this morning was a breach of public safety.”

“This is called a pandemic because people’s lives are in danger.”

Over 1000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Australia. Seven people have died.