Coogee, Clovelly and Maroubra beaches have been closed by Randwick City Council just days after reopening, due to too many people not practicing social distancing.

The beaches reopened on Monday for exercising purposes only.

But when crowds of people started swarming the beaches on Friday afternoon, the council shut them down again.

“A lot of the locals are doing the right thing, but with such a nice day we saw a lot of families coming down for a splash in the water,” a spokesperson for Randwick Council told 7NEWS.com.au.

“Most people were cooling down in the water, which is not exercise.”

“That’s not the purpose.”

A beachgoer looks on at a closed Clovelly Beach in Sydney on Friday afternoon. Credit: Bianca De Marchi / AAP

NSW Police assisted with clearing the beach after the decision was made.

The beaches will be reopened tomorrow, but the council says it will be monitoring the crowd numbers closely.

Beachgoers walk past a closed Clovelly Beach on Friday. Credit: Bianca De Marchi / AAP

“If we’re seeing too many people, we’ll either limit access at any one time, or seek to close the beaches.”

The council’s website makes clear people should limit groups to two people and leave the area once exercise has been completed.

“Sitting, sun-baking or gathering is not permitted,” the notice states.

It comes as Waverley Council prepares to reopen Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach from Tuesday.

Swimmers and surfers will be allowed back into the waters through strictly managed corridors on the sand.