Australians flocked to beaches across the country on Good Friday despite calls for them to stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Easter is typically a time spent with family and friends but social distancing restrictions mean the holiday will be quite different this year.
The government-enforced measures, which were introduced to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus, have limited what can and can’t be done.
A number of residents still managed to make the most of Good Friday while abiding by the rules.
However, some holidaymakers pushed their luck and almost paid the price.
A swimmer is seen sneaking out of Bondi Beach on Friday morning (pictured) after enjoying a dip, despite the beach being strictly closed because of the coronavirus outbreak
Queensland Police were forced to step in and move off the beach at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast after a crowd surfers, swimmers and sunbathers were spotted there on Friday morning
The boardwalk along Miami Beach on the Gold Coast was also packed with families walking and biking in close proximity
Officials in Sydney have tried to erect a ‘Great Wall of Bondi’ (pictured on Friday) to stop people trying to access the closed beaches during the long Easter weekend
A polcie car was seen patrolling the streets in central Sydney on Friday, ensuring people abide by the social distancing rules
Queensland Police were forced to step in and move off the beach at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast after a crowd surfers, swimmers and sunbathers were spotted there on Friday morning.
The waves were packed with holidaymakers enjoying the waves.
Burleigh Heads was closed along with all other Gold Coast beaches on Wednesday, ahead of the Easter Long Weekend.
Activites such as surfing, dog walking and running along the beach front are permitted as long as social distancing protocols are followed.
The fine for ignoring social distancing rules in Queensland is $1,334.50 per person.
A man on a skateboard is seen going past the closed off Surfers Paradise beach on the Gold Coast
Surfers are seen at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast on Friday before Queensland Police had to step in and move people along
A women exercising with her dog is seen running past the closed off Surfers Paradise beach on the Gold Coast
The boardwalk along Miami Beach on the Gold Coast was also packed with families walking and biking in close proximity.
Hundreds of beachgoers were also seen flouting social distancing rules in Perth.
Leighton Beach was packed with holidaymakers who came prepared for a day of sun, bringing with them umbrellas, tents and towels.
In Sydney, the famous Bondi Beach has been covered in metal barriers to ward off potential rule breakers over the long weekend.
Fearing thousands will descend on the area this weekend and try to access the closed beaches, the Bondi to Bronte walk is now covered in red tape and barriers
The water and the the sand at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast was filled with people on Friday morning
A handful of surfers were also seen at Bells Beach in Torquay, Victoria, on Friday. One long-haired surfer was enjoying himself, he was seen with a large grin on his face
The beach is home to the famous Bells Beach Classic surfing competition, which is held over the Easter holiday weekend
However, the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and only locals were allowed enjoy the waves this year
But that didn’t stop a thoughtless swimmer defying strict coronavirus lockdown laws, risking a $1,000 fine, he crept behind Bondi Beach’s closed barriers to take a morning dip.
He was seen darting behind gates which read ‘beach closed’ to enjoy a swim in the sea all by himself.
Even coming armed with a towel, he then dried off before putting his running gear back on, all without being detected by police.
Holidaymakers were also seen flocking to hotspots in New Zealand, despite the strict four-week lockdown, which prevents people from leaving their homes for anything other than essential reasons.
Police were stopping motorists on their way to the Coromandel, on New Zealand’s North Island on Friday.
A number of cars had to turn back, missing out on a weekend of sun and sea.
There are checkpoints across the country to ensure people on the roads are travelling for essential purposes only.
A surfer is seen stretching before hitting the water on Friday. Local surfers are allowed to enjoy the waves this year
A surfer makes his way to the water at Bells Beach in Torquay. Only local residents are allowed to surf this weekend as Victoria’s stage three social distancing laws started with a ban on all but the most basic outdoor activities
A handful of surfers were also seen at Bells Beach in Torquay, Victoria, on Friday.
The beach is home to the famous Bells Beach Classic surfing competition, which is held over the Easter holiday weekend.
However, the event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and only locals were allowed enjoy the waves this year.
Central Sydney was far quieter than usual on Friday with only a handful of people seen making their way through the streets on Friday.
Central Sydney was far quieter than usual on Friday (Pictured: A woman in pink is seen skating through the empty streets)
A bunch of people braved the rain in Sydney on Friday morning as they hit the streets, despite a number of stores being closed
A man is seen clutching on to a pack of toilet paper as he made his way home in Sydney on Friday
Uber Eats cyclists take a break together in Sydney as they wait for their next job on Friday
A woman in pink skated through the typically packed roads and a man was seen clutching on to a pack of toilet paper as he made his way home.
The Easter long weekend has been described as ‘the most crucial’ in Australia’s fight against COVID-19.
While it appears the nation is flattening the COVID-19 curve, health authorities have urged people not to get complacent.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said this weekend will be the ultimate test of our strength against the virus.
‘The virus does not take a holiday – therefore none of us can relax what we do. This in many ways is the most important weekend we may face in the whole course of the virus,’ Mr Hunt said.
Queensland Police are seen moving on a sunbather from the beach at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast
Sunseekers flocked to Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast on Friday. A bunch of surfers enjoyed the waves while others lay on the beach
He told Australians to stay home and lock in ‘the gains we’ve made as a nation’ in the fight against coronavirus.
Public gatherings of more than two people have been banned under coronavirus restrictions, meaning Easter traditions such as egg hunts, Easter mass and family parties cannot go ahead.
Holidaymakers have also been urged to cancel their travel plans and spend the weekend at home.
Police stop commuters travelling south towards the Coromandel on New Zealand’s North Island. The country is currently in a four-week lockdown
There are checkpoints across the country to ensure people on the roads are travelling for essential purposes only