British backpackers threatened with deportation from Australia after Christmas Day beach party
Australia is threatening to deport British backpackers who openly flouted Covid rules at a beach party in Sydney on Christmas Day.
Videos were posted to social media showing large gatherings of young people dancing and singing in a park next to Bronte Beach in breach of regulations in the city, which saw a resurgence of coronavirus a week before Christmas.
Australia’s Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said: "If somebody is threatening public safety or health, their visa can be cancelled and revoked."
However, New South Wales police, which eventually dispersed the crowd, told journalists that none of the backpackers were fined or otherwise penalised.
"It was an operational decision at the time, there being so many people to deal with," NSW Police spokesman Scott Willis told the BBC.
New South Wales state health minister Brad Hazzard said the potential ‘super spreader’ event undermined collective efforts.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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