BYRON BAY TOURISTS IGNORE SOCIAL DISTANCING RULE TO ENJOY SUNSET
- 4 years ago
The backpacker town that refuses to admit coronavirus exists: Hundreds of tourists ignore social distancing to enjoy sunset at Byron Bay
Hundreds of backpackers locals took to the grassy knoll to watch the sunset
A frustrated resident has called for hostel managers to enforce social distancing
The Byron Bay local said it's the council and hostel's responsibility to crack down
Scott Morrison warned draconian measures could be imposed for ignoring rules
On Sunday the prime minister announced tough new 'stage one' restrictions
Morrison condemned thousands of people who went to Bondi Beach on Friday
Hundreds of backpackers defied social distancing rules in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic to gather on the beach at Byron Bay.
Frustrated locals are calling for hostels to heavily enforce self-isolating measures, after a number of tourists watched the sunset at the New South Wales holiday town on Sunday night.
Tim Cassidy, who has lived in Byron Bay for nearly 50 years, told Daily Mail Australia it's up to local hostel owners to lock down their accommodation.
'Hostel companies and their managers are fully accountable here, and our council, particularly Mayor Simon Richardson. [There are] lives are at stake here,' he said.
'It is the responsibility of hostel management to enforce what we are all required to do at this heavy time.
'Because I love my home town of Byron Bay...I feel a deep responsibility in this time of this heavy virus potentially spreading here, to request that all backpacker hostels are policed and if necessary, placed in lock down now for everyone's well being.
'The town was packed with Aussies too, so this isn't biased in any way. We should all be wise right now.'
Mr Cassidy urged hostel managers to implement COVID-19 policies, including signs in all dorms, text messages to all guests, and announcements on a regular basis to all guests.
He called on Mayor Simon Richardson to step up and follow Prime Minister Scott Morrison's tough new social distancing rules.
'Lock down if possible, but preferably organise emergency flights home for all these precious Backpackers too. Their families my be worried back home,' he said.
Mr Cassidy, who works as an online antiques dealer, also implored local police to take social distancing more seriously.
'[Police need to] enforce fines for breaches of new laws and policies concerning numbers of people and distancing both indoors and outdoors in the backpacker hostels, if necessary,' he said.
They basically need to serve and protect and enforce in these unprecedented times.'
It comes after Scott Morrison warned even more draconian measures could be imposed if Australians don't take social distancing seriously during the pandemic.
On Sunday a fed-up Prime Minister announced tough new 'stage one' restrictions, ordering pubs and licensed premises close for six months.
The restrictions also cover places of worship, casinos, restaurants and cafes without takeaway services, nightclub
Hundreds of backpackers locals took to the grassy knoll to watch the sunset
A frustrated resident has called for hostel managers to enforce social distancing
The Byron Bay local said it's the council and hostel's responsibility to crack down
Scott Morrison warned draconian measures could be imposed for ignoring rules
On Sunday the prime minister announced tough new 'stage one' restrictions
Morrison condemned thousands of people who went to Bondi Beach on Friday
Hundreds of backpackers defied social distancing rules in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic to gather on the beach at Byron Bay.
Frustrated locals are calling for hostels to heavily enforce self-isolating measures, after a number of tourists watched the sunset at the New South Wales holiday town on Sunday night.
Tim Cassidy, who has lived in Byron Bay for nearly 50 years, told Daily Mail Australia it's up to local hostel owners to lock down their accommodation.
'Hostel companies and their managers are fully accountable here, and our council, particularly Mayor Simon Richardson. [There are] lives are at stake here,' he said.
'It is the responsibility of hostel management to enforce what we are all required to do at this heavy time.
'Because I love my home town of Byron Bay...I feel a deep responsibility in this time of this heavy virus potentially spreading here, to request that all backpacker hostels are policed and if necessary, placed in lock down now for everyone's well being.
'The town was packed with Aussies too, so this isn't biased in any way. We should all be wise right now.'
Mr Cassidy urged hostel managers to implement COVID-19 policies, including signs in all dorms, text messages to all guests, and announcements on a regular basis to all guests.
He called on Mayor Simon Richardson to step up and follow Prime Minister Scott Morrison's tough new social distancing rules.
'Lock down if possible, but preferably organise emergency flights home for all these precious Backpackers too. Their families my be worried back home,' he said.
Mr Cassidy, who works as an online antiques dealer, also implored local police to take social distancing more seriously.
'[Police need to] enforce fines for breaches of new laws and policies concerning numbers of people and distancing both indoors and outdoors in the backpacker hostels, if necessary,' he said.
They basically need to serve and protect and enforce in these unprecedented times.'
It comes after Scott Morrison warned even more draconian measures could be imposed if Australians don't take social distancing seriously during the pandemic.
On Sunday a fed-up Prime Minister announced tough new 'stage one' restrictions, ordering pubs and licensed premises close for six months.
The restrictions also cover places of worship, casinos, restaurants and cafes without takeaway services, nightclub