The rules are in place for another six weeks.

Now Gardaí are reminding the public that there should be no confusion when it comes to the 5km travel restrictions, with more than 1,500 penalties of €100 for non-essential travel already issued and fines of up to €500 on the way for flagrant breaches.

An Garda Síochána is continuing its series of checkpoints and high visibility patrols at public amenities across the country this weekend and reminding people that they are only allowed to exercise within 5km of their home.

And it’s not just drivers that can find themselves €100 out of pocket; all adult passengers in a car can be fined if they are found to be more than 5km from home and cyclists don’t get a free pass either.

The latest Garda reminder clarifies three issues:

• The 5km limit includes the distance travelled from a person’s home to a location for exercise. In other words, you can’t travel more than 5km to a location to exercise.
• The public should also be aware that if a driver is found to be in breach of the non-essential travel regulations that not only can the driver be fined, but their adult passengers as well. This is also the case for adults in groups undertaking activities such as cycling or walking – every adult in such a group can be fined.
• Travel to airports and ports should only be taken for essential reasons. Holidays abroad are not deemed essential.

While the vast majority of people are complying with the non-essential travel regulations, Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, John Twomey said there are still some people who are “putting themselves, their loved ones and everyone they come into contact with at risk of getting COVID-19” by not complying with public health regulations.

“There are people dying and are seriously ill from COVID-19,” said Mr Twomey.

Midleton Gardaí spoke to a driver at Garryvoe beach who had travelled over 20km without a reasonable excuse. After we engaged with the man he agreed to leave & go straight home.

Shortly after we spoke to the same driver at Ardnahinch beach. Fined for breaching Covid regs pic.twitter.com/me9JT835Fg

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 25, 2021

“Our health service and all who work in it are under serious pressure. People need to adhere to the public health regulations to help save lives and reduce that pressure.”

“Please keep yourself and others safe by staying home. Only make essential journeys. Limit your contacts. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands.”

It is hoped that the 5km travel restrictions can be relaxed after March 5th, 2021 if Ireland is cleared to enter Level 4 of the Government’s ‘Living with Covid-19’ plan.