Is Bondi about to re-open? Signs reading 'swim and go access' appear at the beach - a month after it was closed over fears massive crowds could spread coronavirus
- Signs erected near Bondi indicate the possibility of the popular beach reopening
- Appeared on Tuesday and read, 'surf and go access' and 'swim and go access'
- Council spokeswoman said there is still no date for reopening of Bondi beach
- Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly reopened their beaches to the public on Monday
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
Bondi Beach could be set to reopen for swimmers and surfers sooner rather than later.
Signs mounted at the famous stretch of sand reading 'surf and go access' and 'swim and go access' appeared on Tuesday evening.
Members of Waverley Council, which presides over Bondi and surrounding suburbs, were set to vote on reopening the popular beach on Tuesday evening.
The signs appeared at Bondi on Tuesday evening indicating the possibility of the reopening of the beach
NSW Police patrol Bondi beach as Randwick Council re-opens its beaches, including Clovelly, Coogee and Maroubra
But despite the signs, a Waverley Council spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia there is still no date set to reopen the beach.
'We've maintained the decision to not reopen the beaches but we are working on a plan for managed access for the water,' she said.
'There is still no time frame for when the beaches will reopen.'
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Bondi beach was closed on March 21 over fears massive crowds could be a breeding ground for the killer coronavirus.
It is understood Bondi could be opened for swimmers as early as next Tuesday.
Neighbouring Randwick Council allowed people to exercise on its beaches and in the water at Coogee, Maroubra and Clovelly, as of Monday.
Bondi beach was closed to the public on March 21 as locals and tourists ignored social distancing rules
People are seen walking along Bondi Beach in Sydney, Monday, April 20, 2020
Paula Masselos, the mayor of Waverely, reiterated on Saturday that there was no intention to reopen the beaches at the time due to the council area being a hotspot for coronavirus.
'The Council is, however, looking at ways to provide managed access to the water for the sole purpose of ocean swimming and surfing for exercise,' she said.
'The Council has been looking at ways to manage restrictions at our beaches ever since they were closed on March 21 due to limits on public gatherings introduced by the state government.'
Together with Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard, and local police, Waverely Council will seek the best plan to reopen the beaches.
A sign indicating Coogee beach is open for exercise is pictured on April 20, 2020 in Sydney, Australia
Hundreds flocked to Coogee Beach on Tuesday for a swim following its reopening after three weeks
Hundreds of people flocked to Coogee Beach on Tuesday, the first sunny day since it was reopened after a three week shutdown because of coronavirus restrictions.
Fences now leave beachgoers with just two exits and entrances onto the sand, while dozens of 'exercise only' signs along the promenade leave people in little doubt over what activities are allowed.
The majority of beachgoers were doing the right thing and left the beach after taking exercise rather than hanging around.
But lifeguards made announcements along the beach, telling those on the sand not to sunbake and everyone in the water that they had to be swimming.
'We do not consider it essential exercise to just congregate in the water,' a Randwick City Council lifeguard announced.
'Please exercise, start swimming, don't just stand around in the water.'
The majority of beachgoers were doing the right thing and left the beach after taking exercise rather than hanging around
The lifeguards warned that beach may have to be closed again if residents did not abide by the rules
The lifeguards warned that beach may have to be closed again if residents did not abide by the rules.
'We want to keep the beach open, please don't ruin it for everyone else. It's not just about you, it's about the whole community.
'If you don't start doing the right thing we will have to close the beach. Lifeguards do not want to do that, the council does not want to do that, but these are the measures we will take.
'Remember why we are doing this - it is to stop the spread of this virus.'
