Permanent Covid-19 checkpoints on Border

 

Gardai are set to significantly ramp-up policing measures to prevent the further spread of the Covid-19 virus.

The operation – Operation Fanacht – will see an extensive network of checkpoints established across the country.

The Operation will run from today at 12noon until Monday night, April 13, stopping those who do not adhere to restrictions. There will be no issue for persons travelling with legitimate reason.

It will involve thousands of checkpoints every day. At any one time, there will be over 2,500 Gardaí involved in checkpoints or high visibility patrolling.

Speaking today, Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, John Twomey said: “This significant policing operation is designed to support travel restrictions put in place to help flatten the curve and save lives.

“There has been very good compliance with the travel restrictions and we want to thank the public for this. However, it is vital that this continues over the coming days and over the weekend. This will save lives.

“In particular, we would ask people who are thinking of travelling to parks, natural beauty spots or holiday homes outside of the 2km limit not to do so. We are sending them a clear message that if they are stopped at a checkpoint they will be turned back.”

The operation will also see Gardaí conduct high visibility patrols at major tourist locations, parks and natural beauty spots to ensure compliance with travel restrictions.

The Government last night signed into law a new set of emergency legislative measures granting gardaí the power to arrest and detain individuals flouting current Covid-19 restrictions for the next five days. The laws will remain in place only until Easter Sunday.

Penalties for non-compliance include fines or imprisonment of up to six-months.

The number of people to have died from Covid-19 in Ireland has now reached 210, with the total number of cases currently sitting at more than 5,700, according to the latest round of figures announced by the Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan yesterday.

There are more than 200 crossing points along the Border, stretching from Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth.

A Memorandum of Understanding has also been formally agreed between the Departments of Health for the Republic and Northern Ireland.

The document focuses on facilitating greater co-operation on areas such as: public health messaging, research, programmes of behavioural change, ethics, evidence base/ modelling, and public health and non-pharmaceutical measures. Other areas will be considered, such as procurement, where this is of mutual benefit.

It was agreed by Minister for Health Simon Harris TD and Minister for Health Robin Swann MLA, and the two Chief Medical Officers Dr Tony Holohan and Dr Michael McBride.

The document has the support of the NI Executive and the Irish Government.