The Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) said in a statement yesterday that the city’s two beaches – Cheoc Van (Bamboo Bay) and Hac Sa (Black Sand) were closed to the public starting yesterday.
The statement pointed out that the bureau had recently urged residents and tourists to cooperate with the current COVID-19 prevention measures and not go to the beaches, and in order to discourage beachgoers the bureau hoisted yellow flags, indicating that the coastal waters were “not suitable for swimming” on both beaches.
However, the statement underlined, there were still a lot of people on the two beaches in recent days. It added that some of them were not wearing their facemasks during their stay on the beach, causing the risk of transmission of the novel coronavirus.
In order to strengthen the COVID-19 prevention work, the statement noted that the bureau decided to close the two beaches to the public. The entrances to the beaches have been sealed off and all water sports activities on the coast are banned until further notice, according to the statement.
The bureau again urged all residents and tourists not to gather in crowded places and stay away from the beaches.
This undated handout photo provided by the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) yesterday shows its staff sealing off the entrances to Hac Sa Beach.
