Sydney lockdown extension fears, Brisbane restrictions ease, covid cases continue to rise

Crowds packed beaches and parks across Sydney yesterday, as thousands of residents gathered outside to take advantage of the warm weather.

Despite the lockdown rules explicitly stating that anyone out in these areas must be there for an essential reason, such as exercise, the sunny day proved too tempting, prompting many to test the boundaries of the stay-at-home order.

With another sunny day on the cards, there are concerns that crowds will once again defy lockdown orders to soak up the sun, raising fears about what it could mean for the Greater Sydney lockdown.

Sydney’s Centennial Park was packed with cars and people on Saturday, with one visitor telling news.com.au it was “mayhem” and that she had “never seen it so busy”.

Bondi Beach was packed with people strolling along the promenade and others on the beach and in the water. Crowds were seen ignore social distancing guidelines outside a Bondi venue.

At Shark Beach in Nielsen Park people were seen sunbathing, sleeping and reading books, according to The Daily Telegraph, in clear defiance of signs that said no sitting was permitted.

In Redfern Park and Double Bay training groups were seen working in very close proximity, while others ballooned past the 10-person limit.

At Flemington Markets people crowded in to do their Saturday morning shopping, while a news.com.au reader reported that at Darling Square, “every outdoor table and bench is full”, and that Sydney Park was “packed like a normal Saturday”.

So when does the Sydney lockdown actually start?
Today’s crowds at Bondi really need to know.

— smithy (@smithy81787056) July 3, 2021

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Just saw the crowds of people at Bondi beach and at parks in Sydney. Virtually no masks and crowed walkways. They obviously don’t want to come out of their lockdown do they.

— sue (@sueholmes252) July 3, 2021

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It comes after NSW confirmed 35 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, prompting Premier Gladys Berejiklian to warn people about the importance of following the lockdown rules if they want restrictions to end on time.

“We have a chance to get out of this lockdown as soon as we can, so long as we don’t let our guard down and suddenly let the virus spread today and tomorrow because of the good weather,” she said.