Beaches at Coogee and Maroubra in Sydney’s east have been closed after crowds of people “having a splash” flocked to the stretches of sand, which were open for exercise only on Friday.
A Randwick Council spokesman said the beaches shut shortly before 1pm and will remain closed for the rest of the day.
Police shut down Coogee Beach on Friday.Credit:Peter Rae
He said lifeguards made the decision to clear the beaches because they were “reaching capacity” and a large number of people – mostly families and children – did not appear to be using the areas to exercise.
“This closure was really due to the behaviour. Very few people are actually exercising, they’re having a splash in the water and that’s not the purpose. We need to remind people the ‘stay home’ rule still applies,” the spokesman said.