Tourist spot near Sydney shut down after dozens of ‘selfish’ people flout social distancing rules

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Tourist spot near Sydney shut down after dozens of ‘selfish’ people flout social distancing rules

A popular swimming hole has been shut down after dozens went to the tourist spot despite tough social-distancing rules being in place.

Authorities closed the Karloo Pools in the Royal National Park south of Sydney on Sunday following overcrowding at the pools and the surrounding walking trails.

It followed photographs emerging over the weekend showing large groups gathering at the swimming spot and long lines of cars queuing to enter the park.

Residents of the Sutherland Shire area hit out at the behaviour – which defies rules preventing people from gathering in groups of two or more in New South Wales.

Dozens of sun-seekers have flocked to a popular swimming spot south of Sydney – forcing authorities to close the area yet again to enforce social distancing

Those congregating on rocks overlooking the pools also appeared to be ignoring government advice to stay at least 1.5m apart from each other. 

‘Stupid, selfish people who will keep the rest of us doing the right thing stuck inside longer,’ one person wrote on Facebook in response to the photos.

‘For some reason certain people have taken it upon themselves to resume life as normal,’ another said.

‘No social distancing, secretly socialising and going to the beach because it’s a nice day.’

Another wrote that those posting photos of their trips to the idyllic spot on social media were to blame for increasing traffic to the area. 

The pools had previously been re-opened after the Easter weekend before being closed yet again on Sunday by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Another photograph showed long lines of cars queuing to enter the Royal National Park

Residents of the Sutherland Shire area hit out on social media at the behaviour – which defies rules preventing people from gathering in groups of two or more in New South Wales

It comes as Bondi Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs reopens for swimming and surfing on Tuesday.

Waverley Council mayor Paula Masselos said the waters at Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama beaches will reopen on Tuesday morning ‘for the sole purpose of exercising’.

People will be able to swim or surf at Bondi and Bronte and surf only at Tamarama between 7am and 5pm on weekdays. 

Bondi Beach is set to reopen for ‘the sole purpose of exercising’ on Monday but the sand remains off limits

Access to the water will be via designated entry and exit points. 

Neighbouring Randwick City Council reopened its beaches – including Clovelly, Coogee and Maroubra – a week ago but was forced to close them again on Friday when crowds descended on the sand and people couldn’t follow safe social distancing practices.

The patrolled beaches were reopened on Saturday but only from 6am to 9am until Monday.

All of Randwick’s beaches will again reopen from Tuesday without any time restrictions.

WHICH STATES AND TERRITORIES ARE EASING CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS?

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

* Coronavirus restrictions eased from Monday, 27 April.

* Two-person limit on non-work activities, including picnics, boating, hiking, camping, and group exercise eased from two to 10 people, provided they adhere to social distancing and good hygiene.

* Weddings and funerals can have up to 10 people present.

* In real estate, open houses and display villages permitted but records must be kept of everyone who enters a home.

* Students will return to the classroom from May 29.

* WA Premier Mark McGowan said it was a ‘cautious relaxation’ of restrictions.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

* Parks and reserves will reopen this weekend.

* Cafes and gyms expected to reopen in June, but under strict rules.

* ‘We can only do this because of the work and sacrifices of Territorians and we can only keep our parks open if Territorians are respectful of each other’s space,’ Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.

QUEENSLAND

* Stay-at-home restrictions to ease from Saturday, May 2.

* Family picnics and weekend drives allowed, national parks will reopen and people can shop for clothing and shoes.

* Citizens must stay within 50km of their homes, and social distancing will still be enforced.

* People from the same household can go out together, while those who live alone can spend time with one other person.

* No change to schools until at least May 15 with students continuing to learn remotely where they can.

* ‘We recognise that Queenslanders have done a great job in trying to flatten that curve. So we also know it’s having a big impact on people’s mental health. We thought we could lift some stay-at-home restrictions,’ Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says.

VICTORIA

* Coronavirus restrictions to be reassessed on May 11 when the state of emergency ends.

* ‘I don’t know what transmission will look like this week or next week, but I think the state of emergency going to May 11 is a nice line-up with the national cabinet process for a real look at changing the restrictions,’ Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said.

TASMANIA

* Restrictions closing non-essential retail in the northwest, due to be lifted on Sunday, have been pushed back to at least May 3.

* Most Tasmanian students to begin term two on Tuesday remotely, but schools in the northwest area will open a week later.

* ‘I don’t want to have a knee-jerk reaction … take away restrictions too early only to have to bring them back again,’ Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said.

NEW SOUTH WALES

*From Friday 1 May, two adults and their children can visit friends in their home

* The state government is encouraging shops to re-open with social distancing in place

*Pupils are going back to school on May 11 on a roster basis. State government wants full-time classroom teaching sooner rather than later  

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

* South Australia not looking at easing any coronavirus restrictions ‘any time soon’.

* ‘Our restrictions are actually not as severe in some respects as other states and territories,’ South Australian Health Minister Stephen Wade said.

ACT

* The territory won’t be lifting any restrictions soon.

* ‘This is not a race or a contest between jurisdictions. We are in a great position here in the ACT, largely thanks to the great community effort in complying with the rules around physical distancing. However, we have seen around the world what can happen when restrictions are imposed too late or taken away too early,’ ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.

Source: Daily Mail australia

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