Numerous Sydney beaches, including iconic Bondi Beach, have been shut until further notice after thousands ignored social distancing rules introduced to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

Authorities delivered a confusing message about the closure of Bondi Beach following widespread outrage at beachgoers congregating at the iconic tourist hot spot on Friday.

After another surge of people on Saturday morning, the decision was made to temporarily close Bondi Beach until further notice, as well as Tamarama and Bronte beaches.

Later on the same day, Randwick Council announced Coogee, Clovellly and Maroubra beaches would all be closed on Sunday.

Gordon’s Bay, Malabar, Little Bay, Congwong, Frenchman’s Bay and Yarra Bay will also be closed for the foreseeable future.

View photos A ranger tapes off an entrance to Bondi Beach following its closure to the public. Source: AAP More

“Given the sunny weather forecast of 27 degrees for Sunday, it is highly likely that beach numbers will exceed the 500-person cap announced by the NSW Government today,” Randwick Mayor Danny Said said, noting that locals should look for updates on their social media.

Remarkable images of an unrecognisable Bondi beach taped off without a single person on the sand have since begun to emerge.

Emergency Services Minister David Elliott announced at a press conference on Saturday that moving forward beachgoers would be escorted from Bondi if lifesavers found there to be more than 500 people there at a time.

View photos Bondi Beach closed to the public on Saturday afternoon. Source: Supplied More

While it was initially claimed the Eastern Suburbs beach was to be closed indefinitely, Mr Elliott said that unless numbers exceeded the set limit, it would be business as usual and lifesavers would continue their regular patrolling and making sure people are keeping the mandatory 1.5metres apart.

Mr Elliott slammed crowds captured lapping up the warm weather on Friday and Saturday morning, saying it was “the most irresponsible behaviour of individuals that we’ve seen so far”.

“We can not have an active area of community of activity where more than 500 people are gathered,” he told reporters at Bondi Beach.

“If the community does not comply with the regulations and the health warnings, this is going to become the new norm.”

How do the restrictions actually work?

Surf Life Savers across NSW, including at Bondi Beach, will be permitted to use their discretion when deciding when and who to escort away from the beach.

The restrictions are in place for all of NSW’s beaches.

View photos Beachgoers are seen at Bondi despite the threat of coronavirus. Source: AAP More

View photos Bondi Beach unrecognisable on Saturday afternoon. Source: Supplied More