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HEALTH-VIRUS-AUSTRALIA-BONDI
Australian beaches locked down as virus cases pass 1,000
SYDNEY, March 21, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Sunbathers, surfers and tourists were
banned from Bondi Beach on Saturday in efforts to contain the coronavirus,
which has now infected more than 1,000 people in Australia.
Lifeguards emptied the sands of daytrippers and police taped off entrances
to the beach in Sydney, before closing several more of the city’s popular
swimming spots.
The temporary measure comes after photos were shared online showing mostly
young beachgoers packed together — drawing howls of protest in the media and
from officials who have forbidden non-essential outdoor gatherings of more
than 500 people.
“This is not something we are doing because we are the ‘fun police’… this
is about saving lives,” New South Wales state Police Minister David Elliott
told reporters.
Meanwhile a whole region — the vast Northern Territory — said it would
close its borders next week, forcing arrivals from elsewhere in Australia to
quarantine for two weeks.
The measures announced by the territory’s chief minister, which begin on
Tuesday, were aimed at addressing fears over the safety of remote indigenous
communities who may be more vulnerable to an outbreak.
Australia’s confirmed cases climbed to 1,068 on Saturday. Among them are 10
US tourists quarantined in South Australia.
The nation has taken a series of drastic steps to contain the spread of the
contagion, including closing its borders to foreigners and non-residents.
At Bondi, people looked on at the desolate sands from the promenade after
being told to leave the beach.
“I think it’s about time we take our responsibility even though it’s taking
away something we value so much,” Bondi local Leila Alem told AFP.
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.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1614 hrs