What pandemic? Riot police are called in to break up hundreds of revellers dressed in Santa hats at an epic Christmas Day beach party despite calls to avoid large gatherings - sparking fears it will become a 'COVID-19 incubator'
Riot police have been forced to break up a massive crowd of Christmas Day revellers partying at a popular Sydney beach.
Extraordinary scenes were captured at Bronte Beach in the city's east on Friday afternoon, where hundreds of Sydneysiders gathered to celebrate Christmas with friends, despite a coronavirus outbreak which continues to spread across the city.
Footage has emerged showing revellers at Bronte wearing festive Santa hats, dancing closely together and on each others' shoulders in a large crowd, as the Sydney outbreak grew to 118 confirmed cases.
No face masks could be seen and social distancing was non-existent.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard has slammed the group as 'ignorant' for potentially spreading the deadly disease.
Hundreds of Christmas revellers gathered at Bronte Beach on Friday for a massive party
Social distancing was non-existent at Bronte as crowds danced closely together
'I get the desire for youthful Christmas exuberance, but this is as irresponsible, ignorant and idiotic as it gets,' he told the Daily Telegraph.
'It's a massive potential COVID-19 incubator.'
Social media users have also expressed anger over the footage as many families have been forced apart due to the latest outbreak.
'Not sure these peeps got the COVID memo,' a concerned local captioned a video of the disturbing scenes.
Another added: 'I'm not the Christmas grinch and I don't begrudge anyone having a good time after the year we've had but am I missing something? How come only 10 people in a household but over 200 people close together at Bronte?'
Police were seen trying to disperse the massive crowd and ordering revellers to move along in another video posted on Instagram.
NSW Police confirmed officers were called to Bronte at around 3pm and were assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad.
Revellers were seen packed closely together in a massive crowd and few masks in sight
Police officers watch a group of people gathering in a large number breaching public health orders beside Bondi Beach on December 25, 2020
A group of friends sit on the edge of Bondi Beach with a public health digital display in the background on December 25
Surf lifesavers are seen on a windy and rainy Christmas Day on Bondi Beach in Sydney
A surf lifesaver is seen standing next to a Christmas tree on a rainy day at Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach was a lot quieter than normal due to the on-going threat on Covid-19 this year
A group of men wrestle on Bondi Beach on Christmas Day despite the cooler temperatures
'Police were called to disperse a large crowd at the location,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
Only 10 people are allowed to gather indoors however, up to 100 people can gather outside in Greater Sydney. It is believed there was more than 300 people celebrating together in Bronte.
Police remained at the scene on Friday night to keep a close eye on a handful of revellers who chose to stay.
Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach, which is typically filled with dozens of travellers enjoying the festive season, was far less crowded.
However, the miserable weather couldn't dampen the spirits of some residents.
Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach, which is typically filled with dozens of travellers enjoying the festive season, was far less crowded (Pictured: A group of girls take a picture at Bondi Beach)
These ladies braved the cooler temperatures to enjoy a Christmas Day dip at Bondi
While some Bondi beachgoers were keen to get wet, others preferred to stay dry
A bikini-clad woman shows off her tanned body on a rainy Christmas Day at Bondi
Bondi lifesavers take a group photo in front of the Christmas tree on Christmas Day
This beachgoer took part in impromptu game of beach volleyball at Bondi
There was no shortage of Christmas spirit on display as beachgoers donned festive outfits, including Santa hats, rashies and skimpy swimwear for the day.
Celebrations were trouble-free with beachgoers were on their best behaviour.
While coronavirus restrictions were relaxed over the three day Christmas period to allow festive gathering, northern beaches residents are still banned from leaving the peninsula and can only leave their home for four essential reasons.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian issued a desperate plea for Sydneysiders to restrict their movements in public over the Christmas long weekend and to avoid the Boxing Day sales on Saturday.
Hundreds of revellers partied at Bronte Beach until police brought festivities to an abrupt halt
A family pose for a photo on Christmas Day at Sydney's Bondi Beach, Australia, Friday, December 25
Milena Ussa of Colombia, left, poses for a photo taken by her friend Fernanda Gonzalez of Mexico with a Christmas tree on Christmas Day at Sydney's Bondi Beach
A couple walk along the waterline on Christmas Day at Sydney's Bondi Beach, Australia
A couple rollerblade along the promenade on Christmas Day at Sydney's Bondi Beach, Australia
Santa hats and reindeer antler accessories ensured there was no shortage of Christmas spirit at Bondi on Friday, despite the dreary weather
The outbreak now sits at 118 total cases, 108 of which are associated with the Avalon cluster on the northern beaches.
'We'd prefer it if people did not go to the CBD tomorrow because then you have people from all over Sydney coming to the one location and it only takes one or two cases for it to then spread everywhere else - and we don't want to see that happen,' Ms Berejiklian said on Friday.
'I cannot stress enough how urgent the people to reduce their mobility, not to undertake any activity unless they absolutely have to and please avoid the CBD where you can.
A group of friends sit on the edge of an empty Bondi Beach on December 25, 2020 in Sydney, Australia
A couple wearing Santa hats hold hands on Bondi Beach on December 25
Crowds flocked to the iconic beach on Friday, unfazed about the cooler temperatures,
A group of friends pose for a photo on Bondi Beach on Friday after going for a dip in the water
The Northern Beaches was split into two sections at the Narrabeen Bridge, with those in the northern section where the cluster is centred suffering harsher Christmas restrictions than those in the south.
Residents were not allowed to leave or welcome people from outside the area but were allowed five visitors to their homes on 24, 25 and 26 December before lockdown rules banning home visits resume.
Those south of the Narrabeen Bridge cannot leave the Northern Beaches but can welcome 10 visitors into their homes on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, including people from anywhere in NSW.
The government will decide on Boxing Day if residents south of the Narrabeen Bridge will go back into lockdown on 27 December.
What are the Christmas Covid restrictions for NSW?
On December 24, 25 and 26, the following conditions will be in place:
For the Northern Beaches peninsula zone (North of Narrabeen Bridge, and east of the Baha'i Temple):
· There is a new reason for leaving home: to visit the home of others who live within this zone.
· Up to 5 visitors (total, including children) will be allowed in homes as long as they reside in the peninsula zone.
· People may not enter or leave this zone, unless for the four approved reasons already in place.
· On December 27, the region will revert to existing restrictions.
For the remainder (southern zone) of the Northern Beaches:
· There is a new reason for leaving home: to visit the home of others who live within this zone.
· Up to 10 visitors (plus primary school children and younger) will be allowed in homes. This may include people from outside this zone, not including the Northern Beaches peninsula zone.
· People who reside outside the northern beaches are allowed to visit others in this zone.
· Residents of this zone may not leave, unless for the four approved reasons already in place.
· We will reassess restrictions in this zone following Boxing Day.
For the Greater Sydney region, Central Coast, Wollongong and Nepean Blue Mountains:
· Current restrictions that were due to expire at midnight tonight will remain in place.
· However, primary school aged children and younger will be allowed on top of the current 10 visitors cap for homes.
· On December 27, the region will revert to existing restrictions.
Restrictions for Regional NSW remain unchanged.
In addition, as of 1 January 2021, hospitality venues and hairdressers will be required to use the NSW Government QR code system.
Decisions on New Year's Eve and upcoming sporting events will be made after this Christmas period.