With fine weather forecast for the weekend, Central Coast Council is reminding the community that during the COVID-19 outbreak, the use of beaches is restricted to exercise only,

Permitted activities include walking, swimming, fishing, running and surfing. Sitting and sunbaking are not permitted.

To encourage social distancing, surf lifesaving flags have been removed. This means there will be no lifeguard patrols and swimming is not recommended, due to the ever-changing ocean conditions.

Getting outdoors to exercise and get sunlight are important, especially in theses stressful times. However please remain at least 1.5metres away from other people.

We thank the community for respecting the guidelines so far. This has meant Council has been able to continue allowing public access to beaches, while working to keep the community safe and slow the spread of COVID-19.

To help reduce the number of people using our beaches, Council encourages residents to minimise travel and consider exercising in other local outdoor settings, such as parks, cycleways, bushwalks, sportsgrounds and reserves.

If an area appears busy, please exercise at an alternative local spot. Exercisers should return home as soon as they have finished their activity.

We all want to stay healthy. Exercise, sunlight and the outdoors contribute to our physical and mental wellbeing and it is important that we continue to be healthy during these stressful times.

Council wants to keep our beaches open for everyone to use during this time, however will close beaches if NSW Health and Government rules are not obeyed.

Marking ANZAC Day at home - Lest We Forget

Anzac Day is a significant day for all Australians and is often a time for private reflection.

Although public gatherings to commemorate this special day have been cancelled due to the global outbreak of Coronavirus, Australians are encouraged to still reflect on the significance that Anzac Day represents.

Council has pulled together some of the ways you can pay your respects to our fallen diggers and returned service men and women.

1. Make your own poppy to place in your garden on ANZAC Day
2. Watch the televised national service at the Australian War Memorial
3. Reach out to a veteran
4. Explore our local history resources

Read more at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/news