Pop-up coronavirus testing clinic set up at Bondi Beach after backpackers didn’t socially distance

Pop-up testing clinic is set up in the coronavirus cluster ‘red zone’ at Bondi Beach after backpackers refused to follow strict social-distancing rules

• A pop-up testing clinic will be open in Bondi from lunchtime on Wednesday
• Waverley Council including Bondi has highest number of cases across Sydney
• Cases have soared after several backpackers refused social distancing rules 
• Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

By Eliza Mcphee For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 00:48 BST, 1 April 2020 | Updated: 01:46 BST, 1 April 2020

A pop-up testing clinic for coronavirus will be set up in Bondi as the government tries to combat the spread of the killer virus. 

The Waverley area in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has become a hotspot for the virus, recording the highest number of cases in the city.

Cases have soared after clusters of backpackers refused to follow social distancing rules with many seen sunbaking in groups near the popular beach. 

The testing is expected to be open from lunchtime on Wednesday at the Bondi Pavilion.

Cases have soared in the eastern suburbs with backpackers appearing to ignore social distancing rules (Pictured: Beachgoers in Vaucluse)

A pop-up testing clinic for coronavirus will be set up in Bondi as the government desperately tries to combat the spread of the killer disease (pictured tourists kicking a ball on the grass at Bondi Beach)

The clinic set up by St Vincents was open to people from midday on Bondi Pavilion

The first patients being tested for COVID-19 at the pop-up testing clinic in Bondi

NSW Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant said doctors in the Waverley Council area would be sending more patients to the testing clinics.

‘We have had a small number of cases in that community where there aren’t obvious links, but a plausible explanation is they have come into contact with an infected backpacker before that backpacker was aware they had COVID-19,’ she said.

‘Our local public health units have communicated to doctors in that area.

‘We do know that there is a potential risk that other members of the community may have come in contact with infected backpackers.’

Crowds of sunbakers are spotted on the rocks at Mackenzies Bay in Sydney’s east on Tuesday

New restrictions on gatherings and movements which ban people from leaving home without a reasonable excuse, but this did not deter sunbakers at Mackenzies Bay (pictured)

A nurse is seen wearing a mask and gloves as she sets up the pop-up testing clinic in Bondi on Wednesday

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 4,800

New South Wales: 2,182

Victoria: 968

Queensland: 781

Western Australia: 364

South Australia: 337

Australian Capital Territory: 80

Tasmania: 69

Northern Territory: 19

TOTAL CASES:  4,800

RECOVERED: 355

DEAD: 20

On Tuesday, there was more than 2,000 cases of COVID-19 across NSW with 140 in the Waverley area. 

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has warned officers will no longer issue cautions for those flouting self-isolation rules and instead hand out $1000 on-the-spot fines.

Police can also arrest and charge people who repeatedly ignore health orders, which could incur a maximum penalty of six months in prison.

Officers have been urging crowds of beach goers to go home from beaches like Bondi.

Five police cars were used to disperse crowds at a park in Rushcutters Bay.

Despite the tough social distancing rules, nobody has been fined yet. 

The clinic has been set up due to the high number of cases within the Waverley area, with many in backpackers

Two women wearing facemasks are among many to get tested at the clinic in Bondi

There has been more than 4,700 cases of coronavirus in Australia

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