“COVID-19 doesn’t take the weekend off for house parties or social gatherings” – that’s the message from gardaí this weekend.
Gardaí warned that they are continuing to find people gathering at house parties or social events and putting each other in danger.
Another 41 Covid-19 related fines were issued in Donegal this past week, bringing the total to 532 in the county.
Gardaí say they will be continuing nationwide checkpoints and high visibility patrols at public amenities, parks and beauty spots across the country this weekend in support of public health regulations. Garda checkpoints apply to all roads users including cyclists.
Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, Anne Marie McMahon said, “The vast majority of people are compiling with the public health regulations. Thank you and please keep it up. Your contribution is appreciated by Gardaí throughout the country. We know it is hard and it has meant significant sacrifices, but you are helping to save lives and protect those on the front-line.
“The best way of keeping safe this weekend is to stay home. If you are going out, please stay within your 5km, limit your contacts with others, maintain social distancing, and regularly wash your hands.”
An Garda Síochána is again advising the public of the need to plan their activities over the weekend to take account that people are only allowed to exercise within 5km of their home.
People are reminded that the 5km limit includes the distance travelled from their home to a location for exercise. In other words, you can’t travel more than 5km to a location to exercise.
To date, gardaí have issued approximately 15,358 Covid-19 fines across the range of all COVID-19 breaches in Ireland, including:
– 466 €500 fines for organising a house party and 1,842 €150 fines for attending a house party
– 11,072 €100 fines for non-essential travel
– 636 €500 fines for non-essential journeys to airports/ports – the total number of €100 and €500 fines for non-essential journeys to airports/ports is 1,011
– 269 fines of €80 each for not wearing a face covering
– 262 fines of €100 for non-essential travel by persons not ordinarily resident in the State