After 76 days of absence, Surf Life Saving Queensland will raise the well-known red and yellow flags on Sunshine Coast beaches this Saturday June 13, in line with the progressive easing of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Surf Life Saving Queensland services across the state have remained on surveillance patrol since Saturday March 28, when flags were taken down.
In light of the Stage 2 easing of restrictions in Queensland and in consultation with local councils and the Queensland Government, the decision was made to return the flags to Queensland's patrolled beaches in order to provide designated swimming areas.
SLSQ will continue to follow Queensland Government public health directives and ask all swimmers to adhere to physical distancing of 1.5 metres, to stay at home if you are sick and not gather in groups of more than 20.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group Chair Mark Jamieson said lifeguard services on the Sunshine Coast were provided by Surf Life Saving Queensland and funded by Council.
"Our world-class beaches are one of the outstanding features of our Sunshine Coast," Mayor Jamieson said.
"As a healthy, smart, creative region, our continuing partnership with SLSQ helps to ensure our residents and visitors can safely enjoy our beaches – and keep coming back to do so."
SLSQ Sunshine Coast Lifeguard Supervisor Rhys Drury advised beachgoers to take extra caution when visiting the beach.
"While the flags will be up guiding people to the safest place to swim, they should not forget about social distancing and we encourage everyone to continue to follow the public health directives," Drury said.
"It is really important that beachgoers make the effort to find the nearest flagged area when they are wanting to go for a swim.
"This will ensure they are swimming in the safest spot at the beach and lifeguards will be there to assist them if needed.
"We would like to thank members of the public who have followed directions over the past few weeks and thank our lifesavers and lifeguards for maintaining surveillance patrol across the Sunshine Coast."
SLSQ continues to liaise with the Queensland Government, local councils and health authorities during this time.
