'Stay away': People flock to beaches despite Easter weekend warning

People have flocked to beaches again in Queensland despite a warning from authorities to stay away this Easter long weekend.

Photos taken by AAP show police officers moving people along at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast on Good Friday.

Beaches on the Gold Coast, islands off the Queensland coast, camping grounds and national parks throughout the state are closed to visitors.

Three beaches were closed on the Gold Coast earlier this week as Mayor Tom Tate said they were proving to be “magnets for day visitors from Brisbane”.

“The balance of beaches will remain open for our residents so they can continue to exercise,” the mayor announced on April 6.

"However, we will monitor that situation and if we see groups starting to gather at those beaches, we will have to close those as well.”

The Spit, Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta beaches were all declared closed. Burleigh Heads also remains off limits, according to Nine News.

Surf Living Queensland encouraged people to help “flatten the curve” by staying away from beaches this long weekend.

“This year, Easter is not a time for leisurely trips to the beach,” the organisation said on Facebook.

“Let’s support our fellow Queenslanders and stay away from the beaches.”

All Queenslanders are urged to stay at home unless they need to venture out for “essential” reasons.

Exercise is listed as a legitimate reason, according to the state government, as long as it is in “compliance with the public gathering requirements”.

People ignoring social distancing regulations can cop an on-the-spot fine of more than $1300.

Since the coronavirus crisis started, police have issued 289 fines for breaches of the public health emergency orders.

Meanwhile, only 13 new coronavirus cases were diagnosed last night.

“It means that all of our efforts, all of the sacrifices we are all making are working and they're helping keep our communities safe,” Health Minister Steven Miles said on Friday.

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WA premier’s Easter beach threat

Western Australia’s Premier Mark McGowan said beaches were to remain open this Easter long weekend, but warned they would be closed if needed.

“With hot weather on the way over this long weekend, we really don’t want to have to close them. But make no mistake, if we have to, we will,” Mr McGowan wrote on Facebook.

He then called upon people to “do the right thing” if they decide to nip down to its beaches for a swim.

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“Don't travel further than you have to, unless it's to avoid a crowd. Don’t hang around, don’t meet up with your mates,” Mr McGowan said.

“And most importantly, keep your distance from others. If you don't, it’s going to ruin it for everyone else.”

Police officers patrolled some of Perth's most popular beaches on Friday as the temperature hit 36C to start the Easter break.

Rockingham Police seemed to be satisfied with beachgoers following social distancing advice.

“Great to see people enjoying the holidays responsibly in Rockingham,” Rockingham Police tweeted, with a photo of an officer watching over the beach.

“Maintain social distancing and don’t ruin it for others.”

Health Minister Roger Cook said police had been satisfied with the behaviour of beachgoers who had largely been respecting physical distancing guidelines.

However another person shared photos of people flocking to Mullaloo beach at 11am.

“May as well start planning for the next 6 months of isolation,” the social media user said, calling for the premier to shut the beaches.

“The WA public has already proven they can't follow simple instructions.”

Cockburn Volunteer Sea Search & Rescue shared a photo of the public boat ramp at Woodman Point just after 8.45am (local time) on Friday, which was completely packed and caused mixed opinions online.

“What a bloody joke, do people have a problem understanding ‘stay at home’ it's people like these that are going to prolong this situation and stop families from being together so complacent,” one person wrote on Facebook in response to the photo.

“No different than a shopping centre or Bunnings car park & boats are bigger than shopping trolleys,” another person said, seemingly defending the people lining up.

However, the advice surrounding recreational fishing are not straightforward.

“We recommend if you don’t need to go out on your boat, then please don’t,” the state’s Department of Transport says on their website.

“Non-essential activities should be postponed or cancelled.”

However, there is no ban on boating.

“There has been no direction to prohibit people from going boating – but you should stay at home if the planned activity is non-essential,” the Department of Transport says.

When boating with someone who you do not reside with, there is a limit of two people and the two must maintain a distance of 1.5 metres.

The two-person rule does not apply if those on board are all members of the same household.

WA recorded 11 new coronavirus cases overnight, including four people from the Artania cruise ship, which remains docked in Fremantle.

The state’s total now sits at 506.

– With AAP

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