Sydney reopens popular beaches after coronavirus cases fall
The move comes after just six new cases in New South Wales in the last 24 hours
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Your support makes all the difference.Sydney has reopened some of its most popular beaches to the public after a fall in coronavirus cases.
New South Wales reported just six new cases of Covid-19 with one new death in the last 24 hours.
And after closing off beaches to the public for more than a month to stem the spread of the pathogen, residents will now be able to access Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly beaches.
The move sees Randwick as the only council to reopen beaches despite the area proving to be a hotspot for community transmission during the crisis after 18 people contracted the virus through this method – the third most of its type in the state.
But now the public will be able to frequent the beaches once again to swim, surf, walk and exercise, though measures will still prevent sunbathing, with police and council staff set to monitor areas closely. While groups of more than two remain prohibited unless from the same household and people must continue to respect social distancing of 1.5 metres between each other or risk fines of up to $1,000 (roughly £512).
“I personally think it is a reasonable decision given the number of new cases in NSW remained low over the past few days,” Dr Ying Zhang, a senior epidemiologist and a professor at the University of Sydney, tells The Independent. ”The risk is relatively low if people continue to practice social distancing on the beach.
“Note that only exercise is allowed but not sun bathing and all the other measures remain. Also, as the weather is getting colder, we may not see the beaches as busy as it was in hot days.”
Despite Randwick’s move, Waverley, home to the iconic Bondi Beach, and Woollahra councils will continue to keep their beaches shut to the public.
There have been 6,547 cases of Covid-19 in Australia and 67 fatalities in total as of Monday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
“Since the beach closures occurred, the government has introduced new social distancing and group gathering [rules],” Randwick mayor Danny Said said in a statement.
“I need to stress that our beaches are not open to general use and can only be accessed for exercise. Activities such as sitting on the sand, sun-baking or gathering in groups will not be permitted and council staff and police will be enforcing these restrictions.
“I urge everybody to do the right thing and practice social distancing while exercising so that we can maintain access for exercise purposes and get through this difficult period together.”
Closure of the beaches has seen the city lose a key part to its culture though, but Sydney resident Jay Cargill maintains locals have adapted to the city’s diverse offerings.
“I’ve seen a lot more of this city now, usually we would just go to Bondi for a few hours, there are bars near the beach, but now we can’t do that. Even though it’s not the same, I’m appreciating what we’ve got because there’s so much to see,” Mr Cargill explains to The Independent.
“We did a walk on Saturday, going from Rose Bay, all the way to the Opera House just before sunset. It was Saturday night in the city and it’s usually packed, but there were about 10 people. It was so quiet, like a scene from 28 Days Later.”
And Mr Cargill insists he has no concerns about frequenting the newly reopened beaches given how crowded the parks have been lately.
“I’m not really concerned, most people I know are taking it seriously, we’re not going out in threes, unless you’re from the same household,” he adds. “We went to a small park the other day from Bondi to do some exercise and there were a lot of people there but everybody is giving each other space.
“I’ve been doing my 5km runs around the city and there are hundreds of people using the park as a running track, so you’re running past hundreds of walkers just by doing a 5km run. But there’s nothing else to do really, it’s a means of escape.”
Despite relaxing measures, testing criteria has been expanded and Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant has urged anybody displaying symptoms to get tested.
While more beaches could open soon after Waverley mayor Paula Masselos revealed she is in touch with NSW health minister Brad Hazzard about easing restrictions and allowing the public access to the water for exercise.
“I wish to reiterate that Waverley council has no intention of reopening its beaches at this time,” Ms Masselos told the Guardian.
“We are, however, in constructive discussions with the minister for health, Brad Hazzard’s office on providing managed safe access to the water for the purposes of ocean swimming and surfing for exercise, and are working towards a plan to provide this access.
“We continue to have a significant number of people visiting our area, and whilst this is the case, we need to be more cautious about the approach we take on our beaches.”
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