COVID-19 update – 31 March…More carparks to close

Published on 31 March 2020

Byron Shire Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service will tomorrow (1 April 2020) start closing more public carparks in an attempt to stop groups of people congregating and to meet social distancing directives.

This initiative is supported by NSW Police.

From tomorrow the following carparks will close:

Car parking will also be restricted around Belongil Beach and other beaches in the Shire including Brunswick Heads and South Golden Beach over the next few days.

Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson, said the measures are designed to limit opportunities for people to meet, keeping in mind that the Australian Government has placed strict limits on public gatherings with the maximum number of people at indoor and outdoor areas, excluding family groups, set at two.

“As we move towards Easter it is vitally important that people do not come to Byron Bay for a visit – we need people to stay at home,” Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson said.

“Byron Shire is out of bounds to everyone but local residents – for the sake of our community do not come here for your Easter holiday – the message is pretty clear,” Mayor Richardson said. 

“The vast majority of our residents are doing the right thing so this is a message to everyone else to think about their actions and the potential impact of a COVID-19 outbreak in our community,” he said.

“People should only be leaving home for essential items or work – in other words #ByronStayHome,” Mayor Richardson said.

There are no patrolled, flagged swimming areas on any beaches in the Byron Shire until further notice.

People who swim and surf do so at their own risk and we encourage all beach goers to please refer to the Beachsafe App for all beach information.

The beaches are still able to be used by people for things like walking and running, as long as groups (not including families) are less than two people and social distancing protocols are adhered to.

#ByronStayHome

For media enquiries contact Annie Lewis, Media and Communications Coordinator, on 6626 7320.