She said although only weeks ago, South Coast residents encouraged tourists to return after the fires, that call has again been reversed over the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our community has been through so much over the last few months. I know it comes as a cruel blow to again be sending tourists away so soon," she said.

She said while it might seem ideal to self-isolate on the South Coast, health services and other infrastructure were not set up to cope with additional strain, "and this will place everyone - locals and travellers alike - at greater risk".

Mrs Phillips said the beach would still be waiting when the threat has abated, and tourists should simply delay their trip until it is safe to do so.

"The South Coast will be waiting for you with open arms when the time is right," Ms Phillips said.

She said many South Coast residents have raised concerns about tourists ignoring the Prime Minister's warnings to avoid all non-essential travel.

"We need to make sure the health and wellbeing of our community comes first. While I would like to see harder and faster restrictions put in place to formally stop this, we all need to play our role in limiting exposure for ourselves and for others," she said. "All tourists, holiday makers and other would-be travellers who do not normally call the South Coast home must stay away this Easter."

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