The crowd of mostly backpackers was dispersed by police after an impromptu party at Bronte Beach on Christmas Day. Video / Nine Network
Riot police were called to Bronte Beach in Sydney on Christmas afternoon to break up hundreds of people who were throwing a party in defiance of coronavirus restrictions.
A crowd of young people, many dressed in Santa hats, were seen chanting and dancing before they were eventually dispersedby police at about 5pm.
Lucy Meyer, who witnessed the scene, said that they were all singing so loudly that she "could still hear them from a 10-minute walk away".
"There were around 200 to 300 partying in the grass," Meyer said.
"There were plenty of cops standing around, but they didn't seem to be doing anything to break up the crowd.
"It's clearly against public health guidelines, and it puts people at risk at a time when so many Sydneysiders have sacrificed their holiday plans to protect others."
Photo / News Corp Australia
New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard slammed the group as "ignorant" and said it was "beyond belief" that they would risk gathering in large numbers, and risk spreading the virus.
"I get the desire for youthful Christmas exuberance, but this is as irresponsible, ignorant and idiotic as it gets," he told the Daily Telegraph.
