Thousands of people flocked to Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday as coronavirus lockdown restrictions were relaxed for the first time since March.
Surfers, joggers and swimmers made the most of their first weekend of freedom despite ominous clouds lingering and tops of 20C in the city’s eastern suburbs.
New South Wales recorded just one case of coronavirus in the 24 hours until 8pm on Saturday, but authorities have warned residents to brace for a spike in numbers and not to become complacent.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard warned that several cases of the virus are still being reported from unknown sources, and with the eased restrictions that number is expected to jump.
‘We all deserve it (going outdoors), we’ve all worked very hard at it. So I don’t want to dissuade people from enjoying what is a fantastic state, and at the moment, fantastic weather for this time of the year,’ he said.
‘But I also do want to remind people that this virus is extremely dangerous, and we are all – every one of us – sitting ducks for this virus.’
Bondi Beach is enjoyed by all ages during an sunny Autumn day with COVID-19 rules relaxed to allow for play and fun, not just exercise
Hundreds of people have flocked to Sydney’s most famous beach as residents are taking advantage of New South Wales easing the coronavirus lockdown restrictions for the first time since March
While the chilly temperature made it a bit cold for a swim, others enjoyed being outside and lounging on the grass without the fear of being told to leave by police
Many took advantage of the luxury of being able to gather outside in groups of ten, having picnics and catching up with friends and family without fear of breaking the law.
The beach was enjoyed by people of all ages on Sunday, with the relaxed rules allowing people outdoors for leisure – not just exercise.
Swimmers enjoyed the beautiful 21C water temperature, while huge crowds of surfers competed for waves as children played by the shore with body boards.
Sunbathers lounged on the sand for the first time in almost two months despite dark grey clouds looming over the water.
The path above the beach was crowded with people in gymgear while others sat on benches enjoying their time out of the house.
Australians across the nation have been enjoying some new found freedoms over the weekend after weeks of isolation and rigid social distancing.
Those that didn’t want to swim took to the grass and the walkways, finally taking advantage of the vast seating available and perching on the hill, overlooking the ocean
Heaps of surfers took to the water on Sunday with many excited about the relaxed restrictions at the popular beach
People on the sand maintained the 1.5metre social distancing rules and were not allowed to gather in groups of more than ten
On the other side of the city in the CBD hundreds of people flocked to shopping centres to spend their Sunday out of the house.
Crowds were seen in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall with shopping bags in hand as they took advantage of the relaxed rules.
Businesses opened their doors for the first time on Friday after being closed for dining service for nearly eight weeks.
Mr Hazzard said NSW residents deserve the eased restrictions as it is a reward for ‘many weeks locked inside’.
However, he was ‘bitterly disappointed’ that several cases of the virus were found to have been spread after people left their homes while having symptoms.
Contact tracing teams found several cases of the virus had spread because people went out into the community thinking they only had a cold.
The beach was enjoyed by all ages on the sunny Autumn day as the relaxed rules now allow people outdoors for fun and play, not just exercise
Many took advantage of the luxury of being able to gather outside in groups of ten, having picnics and catching up with friends and family while on the grass
Swimmers took to the water in groups enjoying the sun with some swimming while children used body boards and enjoyed the taste of freedom despite the chilly 18C temperature
On the other side of the city in the CBD hundreds of people flocked to shopping centres to spend their Sunday out of the house
‘One particular person, who had a runny nose went with that person’s partner to dinner at a friend’s place, and it turned out that the person with the runny nose did have COVID. The partner has COVID,’ Mr Hazzard said.
‘It’s been said 1,000 times, probably more than 1,000 times, if you have any symptoms of a cough or a cold, cough, runny nose, temperature – don’t go to work, but don’t go out, and certainly don’t go and put your friends at risk, and definitely don’t put anybody over the age of 70 at risk.’
‘Stay home. Stay home until you’re better. Go and get tested.’
Exercise groups and churches were also allowed to operate again under the first stage of the government three-step plan to kick-start the economy and return daily life back to normal.
Cafes, restaurants and bars have only been allowed to offer takeaway service under the restrictions which were introduced on March 23 to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Now that the curve of infection rates has flattened in Australia, the federal government gave the green light for states to begin easing restrictions within their own timeline.
Sunbathers lounged on the sand for the first time in almost two months despite dark grey clouds looming over the water
Those that didn’t want to swim took to the grass and the walkways, finally taking advantage of the vast seating available and perching on the hill, overlooking the ocean
Bondi Beach is enjoyed by all ages during an sunny Autumn day with Covid19 rules relaxed to allow for play and fun
Bondi Beach, in the city’s eastern suburbs, was packed with people who were making the most of their first weekend of freedom on Sunday despite the chilly weather
Shoppers seen at Pitt Street Mall in Sydney on Sunday among hundreds of other people who took to the popular shopping area
But Gladys Berejiklian warned that the tough restrictions could return if a spike in the coronavirus infection rate is seen again.
NSW recorded only one new case of the virus on Sunday and Ms Berejiklian said it will be likely that there will be a number of new infections.
‘But at least we have a path forward and now every state can move with confidence,’ she told Sky News on Sunday in reference to the three-stage plan to free-up the economy agreed by the national cabinet.
‘Given we have the overall framework, we can all move at our own pace in how we open up our economies.’
Australia has now tested over one million people for COVID-19.
The number of cases in Australia is now around 7050, but the death toll from the pandemic remains at 98.
NSW was the first state to allow indoor dining with a limit of 10 customers permitted inside the venue at any one time.
Large groups braved the cold to line up to get a seat at a cafe in Bondi early on Friday morning with dozens of punters rugged up in their winter warmers as they waited to be seated inside the trendy cafe.
Gladys Berejiklian warned that the tough restrictions could return if a spike in the coronavirus infection rate is seen again. Pictured: Hundreds of shoppers in Pitt Street Mall
Crowds were seen in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall with shopping bags in hand as they took advantage of the relaxed rules