Bondi backpackers IGNORE social distancing rules as they bunch up in the queue at McDonald's - even though there are markers on the floor

Backpackers at Sydney's Bondi Beach have been filmed blatantly ignoring social distancing rules at McDonald's.

The three young women huddled together, even though there were taped x marks on the tiles indicating the need to stand 1.5 metres apart, as they waited for their takeaway order.

Metres away from them, another three women with English accents are also bunched together at the fast food outlet counter early on Tuesday night.

Sydney's beachside eastern suburbs are the epicentre of coronavirus with 486 confirmed cases as of this week in the city's south east, New South Wales Health data showed.

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Backpackers at Sydney's Bondi beach have been videoed blatantly ignoring social distancing rules at McDonald's. The three young women huddled together, even though there were taped x marks on the tiles indicating the need to stand 1.5 metres apart, as they waited for their takeaway order

The situation is so bad at Bondi the state government and St Vincent's Hospital are this afternoon setting up a pop-up COVID-19 clinic at the beachside Pavilion. 

Police have been out in force in the eastern suburbs, forcing sun bakers off the grass at Rushcutters Bay and doing spot checks on Kings Cross hostels to find backpackers partying in close proximity to one another.

Waverley Council, which takes in Bondi, has the highest number of cases of any Sydney local government area.The figure this week surged by a third from 105 to 140 in the last five days.

At least 21 cases came from an unknown source of infection.

There were 2,182 coronavirus cases in NSW on Wednesday, while a 95-year-old woman became the ninth COVID-19 death in the state, bringing the national death toll to 20.

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Metres away from them, another three women with English accents are also bunched together at the fast food outlet counter early on Tuesday night

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 23,370

Victoria: 17,027

New South Wales: 3,768

Queensland: 1,091

Western Australia: 646

South Australia: 462

Tasmania: 230

Australian Capital Territory: 113

Northern Territory: 33

TOTAL CASES: 23,370

CURRENT ACTIVE CASES: 7766

DEATHS: 421

 Last updated: 1am, 18 August, 2020

The images at Bondi McDonald's were taken less than 24 hours after NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard signed the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020.

Individuals now face on-the-spot fines of $1,000 and maximum penalties of $11,000 or six months in jail if they are outside unless they are going to work and can't work remotely by computer, are attending school, are buying medical supplies or are shopping for groceries or food. 

It's legal to exercise at the park but apparently not to linger in a public place.

Australians are only allowed to gather outside in groups of two.

There are exceptions if people live together or are moving. 

Adding to the confusion, Mr Hazzard's Twitter profile features a pre-COVID image of sunbathers bunched closely together at Dee Why, on Sydney's northern beaches, in his Wakehurst electorate. 

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 The situation is so bad at Bondi the state government and St Vincent's Hospital are this afternoon setting up a pop-up COVID-19 clinic at the beachside Pavilion (grass area nearby pictured on March 31, 2020)

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Adding to the confusion, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard's Twitter profile features a pre-COVID image of sunbathers bunched closed together at Dee Why, on Sydney's northern beaches, in his Wakehurst electorate. He has ordered new fines for going out unnecessarily and disobeying social distancing rules

The Northern Beaches Council area has 109 coronavirus cases, making it second only to Waverley council.

It has an even higher infection rate than City of Sydney council, with a tally of 107 cases.

Woollahra Municipal Council in Sydney's east had 79 cases, compared with Central Coast Council's 84 tally north of Sydney.

In Sydney's west, Blacktown City Council had 67 positive tests for COVID-19, one more than Canterbury-Bankstown's 66. 

Tough new coronavirus restrictions explained  

Only two people should gather in public spaces and 'other areas of gathering: Households - no matter how large - can still go outside together, but individual people can only meet with one other person. The two-person limit doesn't apply to workplaces, schools or households. 

Moratorium on evictions from rental properties for the next six months: Scott Morrison said State and Territories will be moving to ban landlords from evicting tenants who are struggling to pay rent. Mr Morrison urged landlords to work with their tenants and banks on immediate solutions. 

Playgrounds, skate parks, and outdoor gyms will be closed from Monday: Boot camps will be reduced to one-on-one outdoor personal training sessions. 

Australians urged to only shop for the essentials and nothing more: Mr Morrison reminded people it isn't a time for browsing or catching up with friends. 'When you are going out for shopping, you should be going for just stuff you need and do it and get home,' he said. 

People aged over 70 or having chronic illnesses are discouraged from leaving their homes: Mr Morrison said elderly people should only go outside for doctor's appointments or medical reasons. He said vulnerable groups who need help with shopping should access 'support through their community or others'.

WHAT CAN I LEAVE MY HOUSE FOR? 

Buying essential supplies: Scott Morrison said shopping should be done solo and not turned into impromptu gatherings.

Going to work, if unable to work from home: Australians who have the ability to work from home are strongly advised to do so. Those who can't must follow social distancing measures when at their place of work. 

Exercise: People working out should still follow the two-person limit. All boot camps of 10 people or less have effectively been banned. 

To attend personal medical appointments, or for compassionate reasons: Elderly people in particular should only go outside for doctor's appointments or medical reasons.

CAN I VISIT FAMILY MEMBERS?

Yes, however social distancing measures should still be adhered to. 

A family split across two houses can meet in private, allowing people to visit their partner, siblings or parents.

People who live alone can only invite one friend over, while households of two people or more can't have any visitors. 

WHAT ABOUT HOUSEHOLDS WITH MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE?

Households - no matter how large - can still go outside together, but individual people can only meet with one other person.

If four people live together in a house, all four of them can take their dog for a walk.  

The two-person limit doesn't apply to workplaces, schools or households.

CAN OLDER PEOPLE GO OUT IN PUBLIC?

Elderly people are allowed to go outside for the same reasons as young people, but Scott Morrison has urged those over the age of 70 to self-isolate unless going to a medical appointment. 

'This does not mean they cannot go outside,' Mr Morrison said on Sunday. 

'They can go outside and be accompanied by a support person for the purposes of getting fresh air and recreation, but should limit contact with others as much as possible.'

CAN I GO TO A WEDDING OR A FUNERAL?

Last week's rules pertaining to weddings and funerals haven't changed. 

Funerals are still limited to 10 people and weddings to five - including the officiator and the bride and groom.

WHEN DO THE NEW MEASURES COME INTO EFFECT?  

The two-person rule will begin on Monday, while playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skate parks will be closed at midday.