Randwick City Council is encouraging people to Get Fit and Go on all Council beaches, parks and reserves while COVID-19 restrictions remain in place.

“We recognise that people need daily exercise to maintain their physical and mental health,” stated Randwick Mayor Danny Said. “We have made our beaches accessible for exercise so that there are more places for people to get some physical activity. Our Get Fit and Go motto is a reminder to people that once they have finished their run, swim or surf it’s time to head home.”

Randwick Council opened beaches for exercise on Monday, April 20. Lifeguards and Rangers subsequently reported a number of people remaining in parks and on beaches after exercising and not observing physical distancing protocols such as keeping 1.5m between each other and limiting groups to just two people.

Signs have been placed in parks and on beaches, reminding people that the spaces are to be used purely for exercise and that social distancing actions need to be observed.

Fencing with Entry and Exit points that provide access to beaches have been put in place to help control numbers on the sand.

Rangers and Council staff in blue Spread Kindness Not Germs shirts are patrolling these areas as well, reminding people to maintain best social distancing practices.

“This undoubtedly changes the way that residents use our beaches and interact with each other. Access to the beach in order to exercise, however, does not mean it’s time to relax our approach to preventing the spread of the virus in our community. We need to maintain our vigilance.

“It’s important to remember that we are making these changes so that we can continue to see a downward trend in the number of COVID-19 cases in our community.

“So I remind you, if you are leaving your home for exercise please do so in your local area. If this includes one of our beaches, please exercise then leave the area.”