Reckless beachgoers force closure of Australian facility
Authorities
closed Sydney’s Bondi Beach Saturday after huge crowds flocked to the popular
sunbathing spot despite a government ban on large gatherings due to the
coronavirus pandemic.
The temporary measure comes
after photos of mostly young beachgoers packed on the famous sands were widely
shared online, drawing howls of protest in the media and from officials.
“What we saw this
morning here on Bondi Beach was the most irresponsible behaviour of individuals
that we’ve seen so far,” New South Wales state Police Minister David
Elliott said.
“This is not something
we are doing because we are the ‘fun police’,” he told a beachside news
conference.
The ban could be extended to
other beaches if social distancing rules are not followed, he warned.
Non-essential outdoor
gatherings of more than 500 people have been barred as officials seek to stem
the spread of the virus. Australia has nearly 1,000 confirmed cases of
COVID-19.
“This is a disease that young people can get — they can go into hospital, they can die from it,” Kristina Keneally, an NSW senator who lives in Sydney, warned.
Australia has taken a series
of drastic steps to contain the spread of the contagion, including closing its
borders to foreigners and non-residents.
But Prime Minister Scott
Morrison has so far stopped short of ordering people to stay home or the
shutdown of non-essential businesses, as introduced in some parts of the world.