Bondi Beach has been shut down in a desperate attempt to battle the coronavirus, after droves of careless sun-seekers ignored social distancing rules.
In an unprecedented move, officials closed the beach with immediate affect, after shocking pictures showed thousands of sunbathers ignoring health warnings.
Australia suffered a huge overnight spike in coronavirus cases, taking the national total to 1,022, prompting calls for people to do their bit to stop it spreading further.
But the spiralling health crisis was clearly of little concern to the beachgoers, with health minister Greg Hunt accusing them of ‘putting others at risk’.
Beachgoers flocked to Bondi in their droves on Friday (pictured) despite strict social distancing rules
Hundreds of beachgoers ignored health authorities advice to stay at home and social distance at Bondi Beach (pictured on Friday)
Speaking from Bondi Beach on Saturday afternoon, police minister David Elliot said: ‘This is the most irresponsible behaviour we’ve seen so far.
‘This is not something we’re doing because we’re the fun police, this is about saving lives.
‘If the community does not comply, this is going to become the new normal.’
He also issued a chilling warning that officials expect cases in NSW to top 500 by tomorrow.
Critics slammed the beachgoers for being ignorant about the coronavirus threat, after they flocked in droves to Bondi Beach (pictured)
One beachgoer poses for a photo during warm weather in Sydney on Friday (pictured) despite the threat of coronavirus
Hundreds of people packed onto the grass nexy to Bondi Beach (pictured) and were clearly not socially distancing
As hospitals begin to fill with coronavirus patients, Australia’s most famous beach was swamped with revellers this week as they flocked to enjoy the 30C temperatures.
Pictures of crowds soon emerged on Instagram showing a lack of concern for social distancing rules, with many of the young sun-worshippers even making jokes about the virus.
The shocking images prompted criticism from across the world, with many incensed by the revellers lack of awareness about the virus.
On Saturday, the NSW government made the decision to shut the beach completely, following the national crowd rules – which effectively bans all outdoor gatherings of 500 people or more.
Sunbathers ignored 1.5 metre social distancing guidelines as they lay together on the sand and helped each other apply sunscreen.
A couple at Bondi Beach on Friday (pictured) smile as they emerged from the surf to join the packed crowds on the beach
Beachgoers are seen at Bondi Beach on Friday (pictured) despite the threat of coronavirus
‘What happened in Bondi was unacceptable, and the local council must take steps to stop that from occurring,’ Mr Hunt told reporters in Melbourne on Saturday.
‘This is all of our responsibility, each of us … I would say to everybody, we are all in this together.’
The crowds were seemingly unfazed by the threat of coronavirus as they embraced on the shoreline, splashed in the waves and played beach volleyball.
New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the ‘thousands of people’ who gathered at Bondi should be following the 1.5 metre recommendation.
Another group of beachgoers are seen posing on Friday (pictured), but seem to sat with enough distance between them
Those who flocked to Bondi Beach on Friday (pictured) have been accused of putting lives at risk by ignoring social distancing
‘We are in a different time,’ he said on Friday.
‘We need to behave in different ways and that is to keep your distance. The recommendation is at least 1.5 metres. That is a sensible recommendation that people should sensibly take on board.’
While residents can ‘by all means’ visit the beach, they must stick to the strict advice given by health authorities.
Shockingly, many of the beachgoers took to social media to boast proudly of their day in the sun – even making jokes about the global pandemic, which has killed more than 10,000 people across the world.
‘Two weeks behind the rest of the world,’ was the caption of one group photo as 16 young people hung off each other.
‘Solid social distancing,’ wrote one commenter, making light of the new guidelines which are designed to keep people from spreading the virus.
Two friends dip their feet in the water at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Friday, despite guidelines to exercise social distancing (pictured)
A couple embrace at Bondi Beach, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, on Friday as the temperature soars above 30C (pictured)
A man and woman ignore social distancing guidelines as they embrace in the water at Sydney’s Bondi Beach (pictured on Friday)
‘If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,’ wrote a young man on a picture of him pointing at a Corona beer with a group of friends,
‘I would just say that it doesn’t matter where you are. Whether you are on Bondi or in a church, separate by 1.5 metres,’ Mr Hazzard said on Saturday.
Government advice reads: ‘Social distancing is important because COVID-19 is most likely to spread from person-to-person.’
‘So, the more space between you and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread.’
The crowds come as Australia prepares to lock its borders to non-residents at 9pm on Friday in a desperate attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Victoria Premier, Daniel Andrews, warned that unless infection rates drop, hospitals will soon become overwhelmed.
Two women smile for the camera as they hit the surf at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Friday (pictured) despite concerns over the global pandemic
Beachgoers play a game of volleyball on the sand as the government urges residents to exercise social distancing (pictured on Friday)
‘If you’re in any doubt of how serious this is, switch your TV on and see what’s happening in other parts of the world,’ he told reporters on Saturday.
‘People are dying. We are going to get to a dark place.’
Victoria recorded 51 new cases overnight, taking the state’s total to 229, while three more cases were confirmed in the ACT.
Mr Andrews announced a $550 million business relief package to help those struggling to stay afloat during the crisis.
A payroll tax refund will be made available to 24,000 businesses small and medium-sized businesses.
It is hoped the cash will help keep about 400,000 workers employed.
Sunbathers ignored 1.5 metre social distancing guidelines by helping each other apply sunscreen and lying together on the sand (pictured on Friday)
Crowds also gathered at the rocks lining Bondi Beach despite the growing threat of COVID-19 (pictured on Friday)
On Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison introduced tough new social distancing measures, which are designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The number of people allowed in an indoor venue will be dictated by its size.
Announcing the new crowd restrictions, Mr Morrison said there will be a maximum limit of ‘four square metres provided per person in an enclosed space’.
When in a venue, patrons should try and sit a minimum of 1.5 metres away from one another.
He also warned a unprecedented ban may be brought in on domestic travel next week ahead of the school holidays – and pleaded with holidaymakers not to fly.
Addressing the nation on Friday, Mr Morrison said he needed people ‘to keep going’ and ‘do their bit for their fellow Australians’.