Gardaí in Donegal have reported a sharp rise in complaints about people driving to scenic locations to exercise during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Exercise is allowed only within a 2km of a person’s home during the current restriction period.
(Featured image: Garda Higgins on a Covid-19 patrol at Rossnowlagh Beach on Monday – via Garda Síochána Donegal)
However, gardaí say they have received calls and reports of scenic areas packed with cars as people drive a distance to begin their exercise.
A Garda spokesperson said the issue is creating anger and bad feeling in communities alongside the health risks.
“The 2km exercise measure means you leave your house, your primary residence, on foot or on a bike, you carry out your 2km exercise and you come home. You don’t drive 10km park up at a nice beach or coastal area and go for your 2km walk,” Garda Grainne Doherty said.
People have been urged to use ‘common sense’ in special circumstances where children and adults with special needs are concerned and they need to visit a safe area for exercise.
“Gardaí will continue their patrols and checkpoints over the coming days and weeks and all areas will receive attention this weekend, most especially beaches and scenic areas.
“Should you note a problem such as crowds of people arriving into your area and congregating or large groups hanging around together for example then please contact your local Garda station and make them aware of the issue,” Gda Doherty added.
