NYE message: Stay home, stay local and stay safe.

Randwick City Council and Eastern Beaches Police Area Command are encouraging the community to stay home.

As 2020 comes to a close, we are yet again asking the community to do things a little differently. This year, Randwick City Council and Eastern Beaches Police Area Command are encouraging the community to stay local and ring-in the new year from the comfort of their own homes.

“Unfortunately, this year we had to cancel the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Coogee and we’re encouraging people to stay local and celebrate the new year from home,” says Danny Said, Mayor of Randwick.

The Eastern Beaches Police Area Command will have a high-visibility police operation in place on Thursday 31 December and Friday 1 January to ensure the safety of the community.

“For those who do go out and about, expect to see plenty of police officers. We have zero tolerance for dangerous, criminal or anti-social behaviour, so anyone caught putting other people’s lives at risk, or spoiling the fun for others, will be dealt with swiftly,” said Superintendent Rohan Cramsie.

To be sure you’re acting in-line with public health orders, we encourage you to stay home, celebrate with family and watch the fireworks on TV.

“If you’re out and about, you may notice we have put road closures in place in Coogee, as we do each year when we host the 9pm Coogee Sparkles,” says Mr Mayor Danny Said.  “Even though the fireworks in Coogee are cancelled this year, the road closures have been put in place to help assist with any crowds,” explains Mayor Said.

“Our best advice is to plan ahead how you are getting to and from your selected celebrations – whether it be public transport, pre-arranged transport or organising a designated driver,” Superintendent Cramsie said.

We hope everyone takes this as an opportunity to enjoy ringing in the new year with friends and family at home and we wish everyone a happy new year.

For more information on the Public Health Orders for gatherings, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules.