This is the moment Brazilian cops fly their helicopter low across a beach to create a mini sandstorm forcing beachgoers to go home during the coronavirus lockdown.
The startling scenes were recorded at Galheta Beach in the city of Florianopolis in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, where residents are prohibited from being in public places including squares, parks and beaches.
In the video, a police helicopter can be seen flying low over the sand, close to the beachgoers below.
Video Credit: Newsflash
The pilot stops at a couple sitting on the beach and the helicopter’s blades create a ‘sandstorm’, forcing them to move away.
The helicopter then makes its way down the beach with the citizens below making their way off the sand. At one point an armed police officer in the helicopter can be seen motioning for the beachgoers to leave.
The police told local media that most of the beachgoers left the scene after the flight, but some were still there when they returned, forcing them to land close to the beach to then tell them to leave.
Police officers using the helicopter to create sand storm to make beachgoers leave the beach 
Police officers using the helicopter to create sand storm to make beachgoers leave the beach
Police sources said flights monitoring the beaches would continue for the next few days.
The government of Santa Catarina declared a state of emergency on 17th March, prohibiting people gathering in large groups and cancelling all public events.
The state government confirmed on Sunday that there 68 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, whilst Brazil as a whole has now seen 1,924 confirmed cases leading to 34 deaths.
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Story By: Alex Cope, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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