Following advice from the State and Federal Government, residents on the Northern Beaches will see phase one COVID-19 restrictions eased from Friday morning, as Council cautiously re-opens select community facilities previously closed due to the pandemic.
Playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gyms will re-open with limits on gatherings of ten people and social distancing requirements of 1.5m remain in place. Council asks anyone using outdoor gyms to please train safely and wipe down equipment before and after use.
We also strongly recommend that parents and guardians closely monitor social distancing in the playgrounds and help their children with hygiene before and after using equipment.
Our beautiful ocean and harbour pools are re-opening to all swimmers, with a limit of 10 people permitted in pools at one time.
Manly and Warringah Aquatic Centres will again open their doors to allow swimming in outdoor pools only, with a booking system to be introduced. This is to ensure we comply with NSW Government restrictions of one person per lane and a maximum of 10 people using the facility simultaneously.
The temporary beach car parking restrictions of one hour will be lifted, with Council beach parking stickers again valid. However, 10-minute parking outside local businesses to facilitate takeaway food pickups will remain.
When it comes to exercise on our beaches, outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people remain prohibited, and lingering after exercising is also banned. All other previously introduced restrictions remain in use.
Northern Beaches Council Mayor Michael Regan stressed the need for patience with the first phase of restrictions now officially lifted.
“We ask everyone to abide by the Government’s new restrictions for their personal safety and the safety of others. We are rolling out new signage across the region and will be working closely with Police to monitor our public areas, acknowledging that these restrictions will be challenging to monitor at every location.
“The longer we follow the restrictions, the less time we are likely to have them in place. So please follow the guidelines so we can all enjoy what the Northern Beaches has to offer,'' the Mayor said.
NSW Police remain the regulatory authority for all government restrictions – if you have concerns about people doing the wrong thing, you can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it online here.
From Friday, the following will be permitted in NSW:
- Outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people
- Cafes and restaurants can seat 10 patrons at any one time
- Up to 5 visitors to a household at any one time
- Weddings up to 10 guests
- Indoor funerals up to 20 mourners, outdoor funerals up to 30
- Religious gatherings/places of worship up to 10 worshippers
- Use of outdoor equipment (including outdoor gyms and playgrounds)
- Outdoor pools open with restrictions
Residents are also urged to continue to practise physical distancing and good hygiene. If you have even the mildest symptoms, you should stay at home, not socialise and get tested for COVID-19 at one of the many pop up clinics, including those operating on the Northern Beaches.