Randwick City Council has eased lockdown restrictions on its beaches. Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra have been off limits to the public since Sunday March 22. Areas surrounding the beaches and the water, including the grass lawns flanking the entire length of Coogee beach, have all remained open.

As of this morning, though, people are able to go on to the sand and into the water, so long as it’s “for exercises purposes only”.

That means swimming, surfing and running on the sand is permissible once again – so long as social-distancing rules continue to be met (namely keeping 1.5 metres’ distance and limiting group sizes to two people).

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Sunbaking or sitting on the beach aren’t permitted, which means that drying off after a swim will have to become a mobile affair. Ocean rock pools, which are subject to a health order, won’t be reopening for the time being.

“Living along the coast, I know how important our beaches are to the mental and physical health of so many in the community,” said Randwick Mayor Danny Said in a media release. “By not going to the beach, each of us has helped others in need – we’ve helped slow the spread and flatten the curve.”

This follows the Sutherland Shire’s announcement last week of the reopening of Bate Bay – which includes Cronulla, Wanda and North Cronulla beaches – for exercise purposes. In the Northern Beaches, Manly and Dee Why are expected to reopen on Tuesday April 21. Other beaches, such as Collaroy and Avalon, are currently open.

Last month “unacceptable crowds” at Bondi Beach became a flash point for a wave of beach closures around the country. Waverley Council, which also oversees neighbouring Bronte and Tamarama, is not planning to reverse the decision.

“Our council has a responsibility to help ensure that public health orders are maintained,” said Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos in a media release. “I want to reiterate that our beaches remain closed and that we have no intention of opening our beaches at this time.”