Picture: Seven NewsA heatwave in Western Australia has authorities worried about the spread of coronavirus as locals flock to beaches ahead of the Easter long weekend.Pictures from Perth beaches this week show crowds gathering along the coast in large numbers.The newspaper reports authorities are watching carefully whether social distancing rules along the coast are being adhered to.Police say they have issued a number of fines to beachgoers already and won’t hesitate to hand out more or, if necessary, close beaches entirely.West Australian Premier Mark McGowan foreshadowed possible beach closures in late march, telling reporters he would reluctantly pull the trigger if needed.“I don’t want to be doing this but if we have to protect people from themselves on our beaches, we will,” he said.WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said holiday plans should be cancelled, particularly if they involve travel to the state’s southwest.“If you are in Perth and you are planning to spend Eastern in the south west you need to reconsider your plans,” he said.“People need to think about this carefully. But authorities have issues a stern warning.If we go the way of New Zealand, these are just some of the things that will be bannedBeachgoers at a popular Perth beach on Wednesday.
Perth’s Australia Day is expected to be the equal hottest in the country with Canberra also predicted to reach 35C. Perth is experiencing unusually warm weather for April, with temperatures hovering in the 30s until Sunday. Perth is experiencing unusually warm weather for April, with temperatures hovering in the 30s until Sunday.Normally, that would mean people flocking to the beach - and in some cases, that is still happening, despite warnings not to flout social distancing rules.Whether or not the state’s most popular beaches are closed off this Easter will depend on people observing the 1.5-metre distance rule and avoiding gathering in large groups.Though WA Premier Mark McGowan has said closing beaches is a last resort, the Mandurah City Council has jumped the gun.Already it’s been confirmed that two Mandurah beaches, White Hills and Tims Thicket, will be closed to deter families who might want to visit over the Easter break, despite coronavirus holiday bans.If you’re caught on the freeway heading down the coast with a boat or camp trailer, rangers will turn you around, and police may even issue a fine.Authorities say if you want to go to the beach, you should only head for the sand for exercise, a quick dip, and then home.You should only go by yourself, with your immediate household, or with one friend.At Falcon beach on Wednesday, the rules were being observed.Leighton Beach was busier, but police weren’t required.McGowan said police won’t be needed to intervene if people exercise common sense.WA Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Dreibergs said too many people were still using the beach as a socialising venue.With the temperature set to reach 36C on Good Friday, beaches will be heavily policed.“If you want to go to the beach, go, have a swim, pack up your towel, go back to your car, head home,” he told a Perth radio station on Wednesday morning.“There’s too many people deciding that they want to go to the beach and spend hours down there.“There’s now way more people than ever would normally walks along those coastal strips.”“What we are doing is closely monitoring the beaches and making sure people are practising good social distancing,” Health Minister Roger Cook told reporters on Wednesday.“If they don’t ... then obviously closing the beach is an option.“It’s the very last option - we just simply want people to be doing the right thing.”Certain beaches in New South Wales and Queensland have been closed after beachgoers repeatedly flouted social distancing guidelines to gather in large groups.The Premier has said closing beaches is a last resort.Authorities are warning people not to flout social distancing rules at the beach.There are concerns people will flock to the beach over Easter as temperatures hit the 30s. Pictures from Western Australia’s most popular beaches have caused concern as a heatwave sets in. Picture: Richard Wainwright/AAP
Picture: Channel 7Authorities say going to the beach is still an option as long as people are sensible, stay at least 1.5m away from other beachgoers and don’t hang around too long.The same cannot be said for those in Victoria and New South Wales where tighter restrictions are already in place.Earlier this week, authorities closed down Manly Beach on Sydney’s northern beaches after it was deemed to be overcrowded.Scenes at Bondi Beach in March forced the closure of a number of other popular beaches along the Sydney coastline.Members of the public are seen adhering to social distancing rules at Cottesloe Beach in Perth on Monday. If you have a principal home in Perth, stay in that home.”Beachgoers at a popular Perth beach on Wednesday. With the country officially in recession, here's what it means for the average Aussie'Make her proud': Grieving dad brings baby home after mum 'killed by drugged driver''Makes me so sad': Hunt on for Melbourne's Spoonville 'grinch'Why the homeless end up back on the streets after finally getting housing'Determined': How a mum defied the odds after medics gave her six weeks to live Normally, that would mean people flocking to the beach - and in some cases, that is still happening, despite warnings not to flout social distancing rules. Perth's wild winter weather has put footpaths and carparks at Fremantle's Port Beach in serious risk of collapse, prompting the council to close off the access to the local beach … Earlier this week, authorities closed down Manly Beach on Sydney’s northern beaches after it was deemed to be overcrowded.
Scenes at Bondi Beach in March forced the closure of … Authorities have cleared a popular Perth beach after reports a shark was spotted “hanging around” the surf break - the fourth to be spotted off the same stretch of coastline in four hours. North Cottesloe was closed for an hour shortly after 8am after a shark was sighted near the shore. All enjoy fantastic coastal views. Port Beach was already eroded even before this week's storm. City Beach is the closest beach to Perth's city centre (about 15 minutes by car) and is framed by eateries Odyssea, which has a chic but casual feel, Hamptons, which attracts a fancier crowd, and Rise, a pizzeria.