Thousands of Australians are still flocking to the beach despite a series of closures put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and repeated warnings from the government, doctors and police.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday followed up on his promise to introduce ‘draconian measures’ in response to Sydneysiders flouting social distancing rules and heading to Bondi beach in large numbers.

Mr Morrison declared in a historic press conference on Sunday evening all pubs, cafes and restaurants in Australia were to shut from midday on Monday following a wave of beach closures across Sydney.

1,354 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Australia, including 533 in New South Wales and 296 in Victoria.

But beach-goers appeared determined to make the most of the sunshine despite ten beaches following Bondi in closing to the public – including Maroubra and Coogee in the eastern suburbs and Dee Why and Freshwater on the northern beaches.

What virus? Surfers at Maroubra in Sydney’s eastern suburbs make their way onto the beach on Sunday despite it being closed to the public in a bid to stem the spread of the coronavirus

Not deterred: Sunbathers soak in the rays at Coogee in Sydney. The popular beach was closed along with ten others across the city

Go while you still can: At Cronulla – where no ban is in place yet – locals took to the beach in their droves to make the most of the warm Autumn weather

Surfers at Maroubra were not deterred by a line of tape in front of the beach’s steps, while at Bronte a group of people seemed to have found a gap in the metal fencing surrounding the sand.

Waverley Council, which covers Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama, has said those breaching closures face $110 fines issued by lifeguards. NSW Police has vowed to move on those trying to use closed beaches.

One policeman told The Australian surfers got around the eye of officers at Bondi by getting into the water over the rocks at the end of the beach.

Bondi itself was clear of anyone on the sand, but a handful of surfers dodged the restrictions in the water as temperatures reached 29C in Sydney.

A group of sun-seekers gather at a stretch of beach known as The Pass in Byron Bay, northern New South Wales on Sunday

Daring surfers ducked under a line of tape at Maroubra Beach to beat the restrictions as temperatures reached 29C in Sydney

Pictured: Beachgoers at Cronulla. At Bondi, one policeman said surfers got around the eye of officers watching by getting into the water over the rocks at the end of the beach

An onlooker watches on at a closed Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday. A handful of surfers dodged the restrictions and were visible in the water

A man and a woman frolic in the surf at Maroubra Beach on Sunday. Hours later, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced pubs, cafes and restaurants would all close in Australia

Hundreds of people at Bronte took advantage of the fact no police were on-site, while at Cronulla – where no ban is in place yet – locals took to the beach in their droves to make the most of the warm Autumn weather.

Mr Morrison has put in place a 500-person cap on outdoor gatherings, and Sutherland Shire Council has said it will close beaches in Cronulla which have crowds exceeding that number.

Federal health minister Greg Hunt over the weekend called the crowds at Bondi ‘unacceptable’.

Speaking from Bondi Beach on Saturday afternoon, police minister David Elliot said: ‘This is the most irresponsible behaviour we’ve seen so far.

‘This is not something we’re doing because we’re the fun police, this is about saving lives.

‘We cannot have an area where more than 500 people are gathered.’

At Bronte, south of Bondi Beach, a group of people seemed to have found a gap in the metal fencing surrounding the sand

A cafe at Maroubra is pictured filled with customers on Sunday. Mr Morrison announced restaurants would be allowed to offer takeaway services only from midday on Monday

A police mobile command van at Coogee beach on Sunday. Outdoor gatherings in Australia of more than 500 people are banned in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19

1,354 cases have been confirmed in Australia as of Sunday evening. 533 of the cases are in New South Wales and 296 are in Victoria

CORONAVIRUS CASES IN AUSTRALIA: 1,354 New South Wales: 533 Victoria: 296 Queensland: 259 Western Australia: 120 South Australia: 100 Tasmania: 22 Australian Capital Territory: 19 Northern Territory: 5 TOTAL CASES: 1,354 DEAD: 7

‘If the community does not comply, this is going to become the new normal.’

The shocking images prompted criticism from across the world, with many incensed by the revellers lack of awareness about the virus.

Sunbathers ignored 1.5metre social distancing guidelines on Friday and Saturday as they lay together on the sand and helped each other apply sunscreen.

Pictures of crowds soon emerged on Instagram showing a lack of concern for social distancing rules, with many of the young sun-worshippers even making jokes about the virus.

It comes as Mr Morrison ordered all pubs, restaurants and cafes across the country to shut from midday on Monday.

The Prime Minister met with state and territory leaders on Sunday night to discuss further measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus, as the number of cases in Australia surged to 1,354.

Pictured: High numbers of beachgoers at Cronulla Beach. The government’s guidelines advise Australians not to go within 1.5m of each other to prevent the virus’ spread

A council ranger talks to a group of girls at Bronte beach on Sunday. Waverley Council, which covers Bronte, has said those refusing to adhere to closures face receiving $110 fines from lifeguards

He later announced indoor venues would move into ‘stage one’ restrictions, covering cinemas, gyms, nightclubs, places of worship and licenced premises in hotels and clubs.

Mr Morrison said cafes and restaurants would be allowed to provide takeaway services only.

But he remained firm on the government’s stance to keep schools open.

‘Children should go to school tomorrow. There is no change to the medical expert advice in relation to the medical expert panel, from the states and territories in their advice to the national cabinet, in relation to the health advice,’ Mr Morrison said.

Bottle shops will also remain open as they are considered to be ‘like any other retail premises’.

‘I am deeply regretful that those workers and those business owners who will be impacted by this decision will suffer the economic hardship that undoubtedly they will now have to face,’ the Prime Minister said.

‘That is a very, very regretful decision. But a necessary one in the view of the premiers and chief ministers and myself to ensure that we can control the spread of this virus.’

WHAT WILL CLOSE IN AUSTRALIA FROM TOMORROW? WHAT WILL CLOSE: Registered and licenced clubs Licenced premises in hotels and pubs Restaurants will only be able to provide a takeaway service Places of worship Cinemas, nightclubs, casinos and other forms of indoor entertainment Funerals will have to follow an ‘enforced’ four-metre rule WHAT WILL STAY OPEN: Supermarkets Shopping centres Bottle shops Schools Hairdressers and beauticians