But while vast swathes of the coast have been emptied, walking routes such as the Bondi to Bronte track remain open, prompting calls for partial closures or limits to the number of people on the path at once.

Loading

Waverley mayor Paula Masselos said council rangers were monitoring the Bondi to Bronte walk "very carefully", with signs posted along the route reminding people to observe social distancing rules and keep to the left.

"If there are too many people and they're not abiding by social distancing, we will need to shut it down," she said.

"We're encouraging people to stay away from the coastal walk and explore your own neighbourhood instead. Having said all that, if you can, stay home."

Councillor Leon Goltsman said it's sensible to keep the walk open, but he wants the council to consider closing narrow sections, making it one-way, and opening the track to locals only, or monitoring numbers.

"My concern is there are not enough signs and sections of the path are very narrow," he said.

But Cr Masselos said the council was taking "a risk management approach" and "trying to manage and monitor things, rather than summarily shut things down".

In an email to residents, Sutherland Shire Council said it decided to close Cronulla's beaches from Greenhills to Oak Park to deter crowds during the long weekend following recommendations from police and NSW Health.

“We have made this decision for the safety of our community and to ensure the mass gathering and social distancing laws are complied with over the four-day holiday period," the email said.

Sutherland Shire mayor Carmelo Pesce said the council was hesitant to close beaches, but police and health authorities had expressed concerns about crowds from other parts of Sydney flocking to the coast.

“We’re not like Bondi, which is probably 500-metres long, we’ve got more than 7 kilometres of beaches so the spread, and managing social distancing, is easier for us."

Cr Pesce said The Esplanade pedestrian route remained mostly open but a narrow section of the path between South Cronulla and North Cronulla had been taped off because it easily became congested.