'Fine the lot': TikTok users enraged after Sydney crowd given warning
A TikTok of a police helicopter warning Sydney beachgoers of Covid breaches has sparked debate, with some users saying NSW police are being too lenient during the city's lockdown.
In the video, which was filmed at Gordon's Bay in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs on Saturday, a crowd of people can be seen walking on the beach and footpath without masks while a police helicopter flies overhead.
"Have you ever heard a siren and warning from a police helicopter before?" the footage is captioned.
An announcement can be heard from the helicopter warning people to move on or risk being fined for breaching Covid lockdown restrictions.
"To those congregating in Gordons Bay, you will be fined if you do not move one," the helicopter announcement says.
"Local police have been notified and will be attending shortly."
Greater Sydney and surrounding areas are currently in lockdown, with eight LGAs in western and south-western Sydney, including Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown, Cumberland, Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River, subjected to harsher restrictions.
Sydney's current restrictions
Outdoor public gatherings limited to two people (excluding members of the same household)
People must exercise within 10km of their home
No carpooling with members of other households
Browsing at shops is prohibited, and only one person per household per day may leave the home for shopping
Four reasons to leave home under lockdown
Shopping for food or other essential goods and services (one person per household per day)
Medical care or compassionate needs (only one visitor can enter another residence in circumstances of compassionate needs)
Exercise with no more than one other person (unless members of the same household)
Essential work or education where you cannot work or study from home.
Users slam Sydneysiders for not taking lockdown seriously
TikTok users were quick to comment on the video, which has almost 486,000 views, and slam Sydneysiders for not taken lockdown seriously.
People also criticised police for not issuing fines on the spot.
"This is why I don't feel sorry for Sydney. Y'all doing this to yourself," one user wrote.
"Shouldn't have even warned them, should have turned up and fined the lot," another said.
"Nobody wearing masks," exclaimed another.
"Just need to lock them off until they start caring about others."
However, other users argued that no one was doing anything wrong, pointing out that people are allowed outside to exercise.
"The public health order allows 'recreation'," one person said.
"You are still allowed outside," another agreed. "What are police possible going to fine people for?"
NSW records 239 cases of Covid-19
NSW reported 239 new cases of community-transmitted coronavirus on Sunday.
Of the new local Covid-19 cases, 61 people were infectious in the community for either whole or part of the infectious period.
Thirty-eight people were arrested on Saturday for public health breaches and 516 fines were issued.
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