Heads in the sand: Backpackers are slammed for flouting social-distancing rules to throw a beach party
- A group of up to 30 backpackers were seen partying on a Queensland beach
- The large group of backpackers were in breach of social distancing rules
- Angry locals called police who moved in and dispersed the large crowd
Angry residents have slammed a group of up to 30 backpackers who were seen gathering on a beach in a clear breach of social-distancing rules.
The large group of backpackers were seen at Palm Cove in Cairns, playing volleyball, drinking and standing around chatting in groups.
Some Cairns locals spotted the beach party and called the police, Seven News reported.
A large group of up to 30 backpackers were seen gathered on a Queensland beach (pictured) prompting an angry local to call police who moved in an dispersed the group on Tuesday
A Cairns resident, who was only identified as Karl, said he had lost his job due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it angered him to see people flout the rules.
'Why is it the local community is doing the right thing, and people who obviously don't live here do not give a damn about us?' he asked.
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'Why would anyone think you can have a big party in excess of 40 people, we are trying to get this place open.'
Police said the large group dispersed without incident and no fines were given.
After a clip showing the backpacker party was shared online many social media users were left angry and frustrated.
'They should of been fined everyone knows the rules,' one user wrote.
'If backpackers or any visitors can't abide by the restrictions send them back to their homeland,' another added.
Meanwhile others felt the situation was being blown out of proportion.
'Good on them for enjoying life. Seven active cases in a state with five million people. When did Australia's become so scared it's embarrassing,' one user wrote.
In Queensland more than 100,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted with a positive return rate of 0.6 per cent.
The state has recorded a total of 1,058 coronavirus cases for a total of seven deaths.
