Manly Beach and Dee Why Beach will be closed from Tuesday morning following advice from NSW health authorities that both areas have become hotspots for community transmissions of COVID-19.

Effective from Tuesday 7 April, Dee Why Beach, Manly, Shelly Beach, North Steyne and Queenscliff beaches will be closed until after the Easter long weekend. The closures will be reviewed on Tuesday 14 April ahead of any decision to reopen them then.

In addition, all beach car parks on the Northern Beaches will be limited to 1 hour parking, from Tuesday 7 April.

Whilst all other beaches and reserves remain open at this time, they will also be closed if people do not observe social distancing rules, including no gatherings or loitering. The beaches are for exercise only.

Mayor Michael Regan said Council is following the advice of the Prime Minister, Premier and the Health Orders in maintaining public areas are open for exercise.

“The message has been pretty clear, stay at home unless you need to go out for essentials, work or exercise. It’s simply not right that some people are just not following the rules which is making it harder for others,” Mayor Regan said.

“Council’s Rangers, Lifeguards and staff along with Police are trying to ensure that everyone’s health and safety is protected here, so we are asking the community to help us keep our beaches and reserves open for exercise only and by doing the right thing here.

“If people continue to hang out and loiter, we will have no choice but to keep closing the beaches like we have been over the past few weeks.”

In addition, Council understands that COVID-19 testing clinics will be established by NSW Health at Manly and Dee Why for community testing of all symptomatic people in those areas.

“Council will follow any directive from NSW Health authorities to set up pop-up clinics for testing.

“This is a strong message to our community that we all need to step up and do the right thing, and again, if you don’t need to leave home, don’t.

“We are in this together, and we have to look after ourselves and each other if we are to try and stop the spread. I encourage anyone who is symptomatic, especially in Dee Why or Manly to immediately seek medical advice and get yourself tested.”