Hundreds of people have flocked to Sydney’s most famous beach despite the Australian Government advising the public to practice social distancing in a desperate attempt to control the spread of COVID-19.
Bondi Beach, in the city’s eastern suburbs, was packed with swimmers and sunbathers as they made the most of the sun and 32C heat before cooler weather settles across the country.
But the actions of beachgoers splashing in the waves and chatting in groups go against the advice of health authorities who have told people to exercise ‘social distancing’.
‘Social distancing is important because COVID-19 is most likely to spread from person-to-person,’ government advice reads.
‘So, the more space between you and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread.’
Hundreds of beachgoers flocked to Bondi Beach, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Thursday
A woman sits on the sand at Bondi Beach on Sydney, despite the government urging residents to exercise social distancing
Health authorities want people to exercise ‘social distancing’ measures, such as sitting in the back of a taxi and staying 1.5 metres apart
Two women enjoy the warm March weather and sunbathe at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Thursday
Beachgoers are seen enjoying a dip at Bondi Icebergs despite recommendations to stay indoors and avoid public gatherings
Pictured: Hundreds of people flocked to Sydney’s Bondi Beach to enjoy the sun on Thursday
While social distancing in public, Australians have been advised to sanitise their hands, make cashless transactions, travel at quiet times and avoid crowds.
Social distancing measures also include sitting in the back of a taxi and staying 1.5 metres apart.
Swimmers at Bondi Icebergs didn’t seem phased by the guidelines as they huddled together by the pool.
Others lay less than one-metre apart as they sunbaked on the golden shore.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday announced Australia would shut the borders to non-residents at 9pm on Friday in a desperate attempt to control the coronavirus outbreak.
The drastic measure came as the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia surged past 700, with about 80 per cent of those coming in from overseas.
Outdoor events with more than 500 people have been banned and indoor gatherings must be less than 100.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Australia soared to more than 700 on Thursday
An Australian flag is seen in front of Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach on Thursday
Residents went against COVID-19 warnings and hit the waves at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Thursday
Three women lie on the sand and sunbathe as Sydney records temperatures above 30C on Thursday
Beachgoers enter the crystal blue waters at Sydney’s Bondi Beach amid warnings to exercise social distancing
A man gives a fellow beachgoer at piggy back while splashing around in the water at Bondi Beach on Thursday
The number of coronavirus cases in NSW has jumped above 300, with close to 50 cases believed to be locally transmitted.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant told reporters on Thursday there were 307 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, up from 267 on Wednesday.
Of this number, almost 130 were acquired overseas, including recent returnees from virus-hit areas in Europe, the UK and the US. A further 70 cases remain under investigation.
Dr Chant said the initial precautionary approach of hospitalising all confirmed COVID-19 cases had been abandoned as cases rise.
‘It’s reassuring that many of our cases continue to be mild with currently six patients in intensive care units. Many of our patients are being managed in the community and being managed at home and we are only admitting patients now that require hospital care,’ Dr Chant said.
One woman distances herself from the crowd and enjoys a book in the sun at Bondi Beach on Thursday
One woman covers her face with clothing while tanning under Sydney’s sweltering sun on Thursday
‘We are following up and we are working in a whole-of-government way to ensure that people are doing the right thing.’
Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked NSW residents for adhering to social distancing regulations, alongside the limitation of outdoor gatherings to fewer than 500 people and indoor to fewer than 100.
She said she had brought the state agencies into the RFS headquarters – including police, health, transport and education – in order to integrate responses to COVID-19.
‘What you see here is the complete integration of police, health, education, transport and many other government agencies working together to provide safety to our citizens but also important information in a timely way,’ Ms Berejiklian told reporters on Thursday.
Etiquette experts say being polite is crucial even as COVID-19 prompts health authorities to encourage a 1.5-metre space between people.
Australians have been encouraged to exercise social distancing and the government has banned outdoor gatherings with more than 500 people
Two beachgoers are joined by a dog as they tan from the rocks of Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Thursday
A woman in a floral one-piece and hat dips her feet in the water at Bondi Beach on Thursday
A group of friends lie on a boat and watch other beachgoers frolic in the water
Pets joined beachgoers as they enjoyed the sun in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Thursday
‘We can social distance in a way that is not offensive, and respectful to others,’ Australian Finishing School chief executive officer Amanda King told AAP on Thursday.
‘Communicating in a kind, respectful, polite manner.’
Eye contact, a head nod and smiling could be greeting solutions.
‘Due to this current crisis, rules governing interaction between people are more relevant than ever,’ the accredited etiquette expert said.
‘We need to be leaders in society with manners and actions around being considerate and polite, for example the grocery store hours for disability and the elderly.’
Beachgoers enjoy a dip in the pool at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Thursday
A group ignore the 1.5metre distance guideline as they huddle together by the pool at Bondi Icebergs