Love Island Australia couple Amelia Plummer and Josh Moss have slammed Bondi beachgoers for their total disregard of social-distancing measures set up to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus across the state.
The pair, who recently returned from a New Zealand holiday, spoke exclusively to Daily Mail Australia from self-isolation on Sunday.
Halfway through their 14-day isolation on New South Wales’ Central Coast, Josh and Amelia said they were absolutely horrified by seeing thousands of people flock to the beach and ‘mocking’ the global pandemic.
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EXCLUSIVE ‘People were taking the pi**!’ Love Island Australia couple Josh and Amelia slam Bondi beachgoers who ‘mocked’ social-distancing rules as they continue to self-isolate on New South Wales’ Central Coast
Remember them? The couple first rose to fame on the inaugural Love Island Australia season in 2018, and are the only original match still together from their season
Thousands of careless sun-seekers headed to Bondi Beach to enjoy the 34C temperatures on Friday, and were accused of putting lives at risk by ignoring social distancing rules.
The sunbathers ignored 1.5metre social distancing guidelines as they lay together on the sand and helped each other apply sunscreen.
The shocking images prompted criticism from across the world, with many incensed by the revellers lack of awareness about the virus.
Shocking image: Thousands of careless sun-seekers flocked to Bondi Beach to enjoy the 34C temperatures on Friday (pictured), and were accused of putting lives at risk by ignoring social-distancing rules
‘We were really frustrated, because there’s so many people doing the right thing and taking it serious, and then on the other side so many people, even people we know and are friends with, were taking the pi** out of the whole situation and saying “look at me self-isolating” sitting right next to someone drinking a beer and having a laugh about it.’
‘With that attitude, this is going to blow this out of proportion. We felt helpless,’ Josh added, encouraging others to adhere to government guidelines regarding COVID-19.
‘With that attitude, this is going to blow this out of proportion’: Josh and Amelia said they were ‘frustrated’ with how many people they knew were making jokes about the virus and flaunting their disregard for avoiding crowded places
‘We need to take this serious. You’re watching stuff in Europe and overseas, and those countries are out of control and it’s purely because at the start people weren’t taking it serious and they were going about their everyday life and that’s what we can learn from.
‘We should try and not get to that stage, because when it gets to the stage where you’re thinking “oh maybe I shouldn’t have done that”, it’s probably too late.’
Amelia also said after posting a story on her Instagram about the shocking display, many of her followers from Spain and Italy reached out.
‘They were saying everyone was acting exactly the same as Australia last week, and now they’re locked in their houses, have police doing checks and army monitoring the streets,’ she explained.
Wise words! Josh warned the public to rethink their actions, adding: ‘when it gets to the stage where you’re thinking “oh maybe I shouldn’t have done that”, it’s probably too late’
Sign of what’s to come? Amelia said many of her international fans said their countries were as carefree as Australia last week, but now they are locked in their houses, have police doing checks and army monitoring the streets
The couple first rose to fame on the inaugural Love Island Australia season in 2018, and are the only original match still together from their season.
Having travelled with each other numerous times over the past two years and now self isolating for two weeks, they admitted taking the next step to move in together doesn’t seem far off.
‘We’ve done really well. I’m so impressed and I think we’re going to really grow a lot from this short experience. It’s pretty intense.
‘I think we’re going to really grow a lot from this short experience’: Josh and Amelia said that after travelling with each other and self-isolating, the thought of moving in together is a definite possibility
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned thousands of people who flouted the social distancing measures and flocked to Bondi Beach to soak up the sun over the weekend.
‘What happened at Bondi Beach yesterday was not OK and served as a message to federal and state leaders that too many Australians are not taking these issues seriously enough,’ he told reporters on Sunday.
The beaches are now closed, as are a host of other businesses, including gyms, clubs, and casinos.
Australian cases: As of Monday, Australia had more than 1,600 reported cases and a total of seven confirmed deaths