Hinds: Avoid crowded beaches, large limes

As some covid19 restrictions are lifted this week, epidemiologist Dr Avery Hinds has continued calling for discipline from the public when visiting beaches.

Hinds was responding to questions from reporters during the Ministry of Health's covid19 update on Monday. He encouraged people to "turn around and go back" if they met crowded beaches during outings.

He warned that while restrictions to beaches had been relaxed, the ministry still recognises them as one of the points of possible superspreading of the virus.

"We want the masks to remain on while on the shore. We understand you can't wear them in the water, but once you are on shore again, reducing the risk of transmission by having the mask on is one of the measures that we do continue to encourage.

"We also want to discourage large limes, cookouts, that sort of thing.

"Really, we do know that exercise, seawater, fresh air, swimming – those things are good for you, and we want to allow that access to continue without infections."

Hinds also said the ministry would closely monitor the number of reported covid19 cases now that some restrictions on beaches, cinemas and places of worship have been relaxed.

"If there is any sort of upsurge we will continue to monitor (it) on a day-by-day basis.

"We will continue to keep the population apprised of trends, as we have been doing in the past, and if anything changes significantly, we will be most certain to inform the population in a timely manner and to consider whatever recommendations may be needed to halt any untoward trends."

During a media briefing on Saturday, the Prime Minister warned the public not to rush to beaches, as this may cause a spike in cases.

From Monday, beaches and coastal waters were opened to the public between 6 am and 6 pm.