In a huge win for anyone who can’t endure a pandemic without catching some waves, Sydney’s Bondi beach will reopen to swimmers and surfers from next week.
ABC reports Waverley Council last night voted for the partial reopening of Bondi, Bronte, and Tamarama beaches, all of which have been cordoned off for fears of coronavirus ripping through the region.
The beaches will reopen on Tuesday, with some limitations to remain in place. Anyone hoping to sunbake or hang out on the sand will be moved on by council rangers, and the beaches will remain largely fenced off.
Anyone on the beach will be required to adhere to ongoing social distancing rules, for what it’s worth. The reopening won’t change your weekend plans, either: the loosened restrictions will only apply between 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
It’s a bold move for the council, which has endured a cluster of cases within its boundaries.
It was only on Saturday that Waverley mayor Paula Masselos said the region remained “a hotspot for coronavirus cases and we have no intention of reopening our beaches at this time,” before saying an exception for exercise was in the works.
A similar move was installed by Randwick Council earlier this week, too.
As social distancing guidelines continue to prohibit Australians from kicking on as usual, at least Bondi board lords will be permitted to paddle around.
