Michael Brunelli, a former contestant on the reality show Married at First Sight, has highlighted what he sees as double standards in Sydney's coronavirus response after filming the fenced-off barbecue area at North Bondi Beach on Australia Day, while thousands of beachgoers packed the sand.
In a TikTok video viewed over 87,000 times, Brunelli showed the grassy knoll and picnic area closed to the public, then panned to the crowded shoreline. 'Exactly why Sydney is constantly having issues,' one commenter wrote.
New South Wales recorded its ninth consecutive day of no local COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, as temperatures soared to 30C in coastal areas and over 40C in western Sydney. Beach car parks at Balmoral, Clifton Gardens, Chinamans Beach, and others were closed by morning, with authorities urging people to avoid peak times.
Waverley Council tweeted that North Bondi was nearing capacity and advised beachgoers to sit further south. The council also reminded the public to maintain social distancing, check in with businesses, and wear masks on public transport.
NSW Ambulance reported double the average call-outs over the weekend, with drownings 2.4 times more likely on public holidays. Officials urged people to stay hydrated and look out for each other during the heatwave.
