How Sydneysiders can safely sunbake this weekend without getting a fine

Crowds in their thousands are expected to flock to Sydney’s best beaches this weekend with the warmest weather since January forecast – even though the city remains in the grips of a draconian lockdown.

Temperatures in the Harbour City are forecast to top 29 degrees on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, and could even deliver the lockdown-fatigued city its warmest day in eight months is the temperature exceeds 29.2 degrees.

Local authorities in Sydney’s eastern suburbs are preparing for the warmer weather to be a huge test of lockdown restrictions but are encouraging locals who live within a 5km radius of the sand to make time for a swim – so long as they follow the letter of the law.

Sunbathing at the beach will be allowed this weekend as the mercury climbs to 29 degrees – but NSW police and council marshals will be out in force doing compliance checks

Crowds are expected to flock to Sydney beaches in their thousands with the warmest weather since January forecast - even though the city remains in the grips of a draconian lockdown

Crowds are expected to flock to Sydney beaches in their thousands with the warmest weather since January forecast – even though the city remains in the grips of a draconian lockdown

NSW Police will be checking to see if beachgoers live within 5km of the sand and will insist on visitors wearing masks

NSW Police will be checking to see if beachgoers live within 5km of the sand and will insist on visitors wearing masks

Despite the summer-like weather returning the NSW lockdown that has been in place for 11 weeks remains and will continue until the state reaches its target of 70 per cent fully-vaccinated.

Authorities at Bondi have anticipated the potential for large crowds this weekend and are prepared.

”[We] have anticipated the forecast warmer weather this weekend and have been coordinating with the Police, Transport for NSW, the Department of Health and neighbouring Councils,’ Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos told Daily Mail Australia on Friday.

Police, council rangers and Covid marshals will be deployed to Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama beaches to ensure sun-worshippers follow public health orders.

So what are the rules?

NSW Health states up to two people can gather for exercise or recreation as long as they remain within 5km of their home and inside their Local Government Area – unless you live in one of the 12 LGAs of concern.

It is widely understood that ‘recreation’ includes sunbathing.

A major focus is likely to be ensuring residents are not stretching their allowed 5km limit to reach the coast.

But several other restrictions are likely to keep the police and marshals busy this weekend.

Beachgoers cannot gather in groups of more than two and must maintain 1.5 metres apart at all times.

Maybe toughest of all, sunbathers are expected to wear approved masks on the sand – unless they have an exemption or are strenuously exercising.

Sadly Bayside is the only LGA of concern with beaches – and under public health orders its residents cannot go and enjoy a recreational sunbake, as those in the east can.

Strenuous exercise remains one of the few allowable reasons for not wearing a mask when outside in Sydney

Strenuous exercise remains one of the few allowable reasons for not wearing a mask when outside in Sydney

Those residing in the city's west and south-west are currently under the harshest lockdown in the state (pictured, a mounted police patrol on Bondi beach recently)

Those residing in the city’s west and south-west are currently under the harshest lockdown in the state (pictured, a mounted police patrol on Bondi beach recently)

Mobile signage will also be in place reminding sun lovers to do the right thing.

NSW Health states up to two people can gather for exercise or recreation as long as they remain within 5km of their home and inside their Local Government Area – unless you live in one of the 12 LGAs of concern.

It is widely understood that ‘recreation’ includes sunbathing.

A major focus is likely to be ensuring residents are not stretching their allowed 5km limit to reach the coast.

But several other restrictions are likely to keep the police and marshals busy this weekend.

Beachgoers cannot gather in groups of more than two and must maintain 1.5 metres apart at all times.

Maybe toughest of all, sunbathers are expected to wear approved masks on the sand – unless they have an exemption or are strenuously exercising.

A senior eastern suburbs council spokesperson who spoke with Daily Mail Australia agreed that groups of people on the sand without masks on ‘is a bad look’ – especially to residents in the 12 hardest-hit LGAs – but said ‘that’s up to police to deal with’. 

Other eastern suburbs beaches, including Clovelly, Maroubra and Coogee are also expected to be packed.

Beaches north and south of the city will be packed this weekend - although residents of the Bayside LGA of concern cannot yet hit the beach

Beaches north and south of the city will be packed this weekend – although residents of the Bayside LGA of concern cannot yet hit the beach

NSW Police have met with Waverley and other councils to plan for a busy weekend of compliance checks with the weather warming up

NSW Police have met with Waverley and other councils to plan for a busy weekend of compliance checks with the weather warming up

A senior eastern suburbs council spokesperson conceded people on the sand without masks 'is a bad look' to people throughout the rest of Sydney

A senior eastern suburbs council spokesperson conceded people on the sand without masks ‘is a bad look’ to people throughout the rest of Sydney

No matter how beachgoers behave one thing councils say they will not be doing is closing any beaches.

A Randwick council spokesman said all eastern suburbs councils ‘want to keep the beaches open because its well-known they are good for our mental health’. 

The last time Sydney beaches were closed was March 2020, when police closed Bondi, Tamarama and Bronte as a result of overcrowding.

While eastern suburbs beaches, Manly and the Northern Beaches, should be busy, Bayside council’s beaches – including Brighton-Le-Sands could be subject to police attention. 

In the controversial footage, bikini-clad residents are seen reluctantly picking up their towels and moving on while one woman starts to walk towards the ocean for a swim

In the controversial footage, bikini-clad residents are seen reluctantly picking up their towels and moving on while one woman starts to walk towards the ocean for a swim

Bayside is the only LGA of concern with beaches – and under public health orders its residents cannot go and enjoy a recreational sunbake, as those in the east can.  

NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that they will be out in numbers.

‘The NSW Police Force remains committed to enforcing the Public Health Order to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus,’ NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia.

‘As part of Operation Stay at Home, operations will continue across the weekend to ensure compliance with the current orders.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk