Coronavirus: Backpackers brazenly break social distancing rules in Sydney infuriating locals


A group of young backpackers were seen ignoring social distancing rules as they gathered outside their hostel in Sydney

A fed-up Sydney neighbour has filmed himself confronting a group of young backpackers brazenly breaking social distancing rules as they gathered outside their city hostel. 

At least seven male and female tourists were seen huddling together outside Sydney Backpackers on Wilmot St, in the city’s CBD, on Friday night.

An outraged local shared a video of the incident on social media accusing the young travellers of ‘harassing’ residents in the area. 

‘Australia is my home and yet these backpackers keep harassing people in my community,’ the man said. 

‘They pretend to cough, [are] drunk in public, they graffiti everywhere and police are always there. This place needs to be shut down.’

In footage, the man taking the video approaches the group before lashing out on them for failing to practice social distancing that is intended to help slow the spread of coronavirus.  

‘You think it’s a joke? You think it’s funny? But there’s people out there dying. There’s people dying,’ he tells the backpackers as they look on unfazed.

‘Mate, you know the rules. You know the rules! You’re the a**holes that are writing on the property and graffiti-ing. You should be ashamed of yourselves.’  

A group of young backpackers were seen ignoring social distancing rules as they gathered outside their hostel in Sydney 

An outraged local filmed the moment he scolded the travellers for failing to comply with coronavirus health measures. They are seen flippantly waving to the camera

An outraged local filmed the moment he scolded the travellers for failing to comply with coronavirus health measures. They are seen flippantly waving to the camera 

At one point in the confrontation, one of the backpackers accuses the watchdog of being ‘racist’ towards foreigners. 

‘What the hell are you talking about “racist”? I’m Spanish, you idiot,’ he responds. 

The man behind the camera then tells viewers: ‘I’ve never spoken to people that way. I feel a little ashamed of myself, but everyone’s sick of them.’

‘You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. Everybody’s sick of you,’ he continues to say. 

‘You’re a disgrace, all of you. Have a good look, everybody. These are the type of people that don’t respect this place,’ he says as the backpackers flippantly wave for the camera.

The video also cuts to a clip showing an aerial view of the hostel’s patio area where a large group of backpackers are having a party.  

Despite repeated calls for people to practice social distancing, backpackers continue to ignore the rules

Despite repeated calls for people to practice social distancing, backpackers continue to ignore the rules 

The video also cuts to a clip showing an aerial view of the hostel's patio area where a large group of backpackers are having a party

The video also cuts to a clip showing an aerial view of the hostel’s patio area where a large group of backpackers are having a party

Pictured: Sydney Backpackers' rooftop and patio area

Pictured: Sydney Backpackers’ rooftop and patio area 

‘[They’re] in there partying, still. Spread the coronavirus, no worries,’ the narrator says. 

It is unclear whether the video was from that night or a different day.  

The shocking footage comes after many young backpackers have been spotted out and about in Sydney while the number of COVID-19 cases in NSW continues to climb. 

Backpackers have been blamed for a coronavirus cluster that has emerged in the city’s eastern suburbs, a hotspot for young travellers staying in cramped hostels. 

Despite repeated calls for people to stay home and practice social distancing, a group of European partygoers were seen crammed together for barbecue in a Bondi last week. 

Footage taken on Tuesday, shows men and women aged in their 20s crowded in a backyard and adjoining loungeroom as they drink, smoke and laugh.

They appear to be alarmed when they realise they are being filmed by a neighbour as several of them alert the others in Spanish they have been busted.

A group of young European partygoers was filmed ignoring all COVID-19 social distancing rules as they crammed together for a barbecue in a Bondi apartment on Tuesday night 

The man who took the video told Daily Mail Australia: ‘I asked them if they thought this was a joke and that coronavirus is serious.’

‘I brought information about coronavirus to them and they just didn’t care.’

Neighbours said residents of the Ocean Street premises and their visitors were mainly Spanish, French and British and some appeared to be on working visas.

On Friday, Scott Morrison advised all tourists and foreign students who are struggling to support themselves financially during the pandemic to return to their homes overseas.  

The prime minister said that while ‘it is lovely to have visitors in good times’, now is the time for them to leave so officials can focus on supporting Australians in need.

It is likely a difficult position for Mr Morrison to take, given his previous role as director of Tourism Australia, where he famously hired Lara Bingle to help lure travellers in. 

It comes as Australians continue to return home to see out the pandemic. Passengers returned on a special flight repatriating Australians from abroad (pictured on Thursday in Brisbane)

It comes as Australians continue to return home to see out the pandemic. Passengers returned on a special flight repatriating Australians from abroad (pictured on Thursday in Brisbane)

Backpackers (pictured) are seen leaving Bondi and heading to Sydney airport on Friday after Mr Morrison's announcement

Backpackers (pictured) are seen leaving Bondi and heading to Sydney airport on Friday after Mr Morrison’s announcement

But the government is focused on helping to keep Australians afloat, pledging $130billion for a JobKeepers package for workers, many of whom faced losing their jobs. 

‘These (student) visas, and those who are in Australia under various visa arrangements, they are obviously not held here compulsorily,’  he told reporters on Friday.

‘If they are not in a position to support themselves then there is the alternative for them to return to their home countries.

‘We still have quite a number of people who are here on visitor visas.

‘As much as it is lovely to have visitors to Australia in good times, at times like this if you’re a visitor in this country, it is time, as it has been now for some while – and I know many visitors have – to make your way home and to ensure that you can receive the supports that are available … in your home countries.’ 

Backpacker bailout: Travellers will be allowed to stay in Australia longer and claim cash from their superannuation during coronavirus crisis – after they were accused of spreading the illness

 BY THOMAS DUFF FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA 

Backpackers and other temporary visa holders will be allowed to stay in Australia for longer and withdraw up to $10,000 of their superannuation under new rules drawn up in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The changes include allowing working holiday makers to continue to work in agriculture and food processing until the coronavirus crisis has passed. 

Backpackers who can not support themselves have been warned to leave the country as there are fears that hostels – with crowded living arrangements, shared kitchens and limited hygiene facilities – could turn into virus hotbeds.

Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens with Australian-held super and permanent residents are already allowed to dip into their super fund. 

The super measures will allow visa holders to financially support themselves as work prospects continue to dwindle due to the coronavirus. 

Backpackers who can not support themselves have been warned to leave the country as there are fears that hostels - with crowded living arrangements, shared kitchens and limited hygiene facilities - could turn into virus hotbeds. Pictured: Travellers at the Mad Monkey hostel in Sydney

Backpackers who can not support themselves have been warned to leave the country as there are fears that hostels – with crowded living arrangements, shared kitchens and limited hygiene facilities – could turn into virus hotbeds. Pictured: Travellers at the Mad Monkey hostel in Sydney

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said extending working visas would help farmers produce and distribute crops. 

‘We can’t afford to see fruit rotting on trees and vines and vegetables left unpicked. It is vital our farmers maximise their hard work and economic returns,’ Mr McCormack said in a statement on Saturday.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said workforce requirements for agriculture change within and across states as different crops are ready for harvest..

‘It essential for our food security that workers can move to meet these seasonal labour needs,’ Mr Littleproud said in the joint statement.

‘At the same time, it is critical we manage this labour force to support the on-going health of regional communities.’

The prime minister explained working visa holders must first self-isolate before travelling to regional areas, amid fears the migration could spread the virus from cities to ‘more vulnerable’ regions. 

The Government announced most temporary visa holders with working rights will be able to withdraw up to $10,000 of their superannuation for this financial year. Pictured: Departing travellers at Sydney Airport

The Government announced most temporary visa holders with working rights will be able to withdraw up to $10,000 of their superannuation for this financial year. Pictured: Departing travellers at Sydney Airport

He also said workers will be required to abide by social-distancing rules.

‘This is being done to ensure that those producers can get the work done but also to ensure that the communities are protected,’ he said.

Mr Morrison also repeated foreign nationals who are unable to support themselves financially during the pandemic are not ‘being held here’ and should leave. 

‘We still have quite a number of people who are here on visitor visas.’

‘As much as it is lovely to have visitors to Australia in good times, at times like this if you’re a visitor in this country, it is time, as it has been now for some while – and I know many visitors have – to make your way home and to ensure that you can receive the supports that are available … in your home countries.’

Backpackers have been singled out in the police blitz after a virus cluster emerged in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, a hotspot for young travellers staying in cramped hostels.

Noah’s Backpackers Hostel in Bondi was slammed earlier this week after guests on a balcony were seen flouting distancing practices and stay home measures. 

After the incident, the hostel was shut down.  

Backpackers at Bondi Beach were also seen ignoring the new coronavirus social distancing rules at McDonald’s on Tuesday night.

Three young women were filmed 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 a takeaway order.

Metres away from them, another three women with English accents were also bunched together at the fast food outlet counter.

Figures released last week identified Waverley Council, which covers Bondi, as having the most confirmed coronavirus cases in New South Wales.

Byron Bay has ramped up testing after residents and holidaymakers were seen heading to the beach, watching sunsets and going about life as normal last week, despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Byron Bay Shire mayor Simon Richardson has also pushed for the NSW Government to stop allowing backpackers and tourists to travel to coastal town as they work to slow the spread of the killer coronavirus.

 


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