The new rule kicks in at 7am this morning.

Starting today, Monday, February 8th, 2021, anyone not ordinarily resident in the Republic of Ireland caught traveling in this jurisdiction without a reasonable excuse may be liable to receive a fine of €100.

An Garda Síochána is advising people that The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No.10) Regulations 2020 are currently in force.

If enforcement is required, Gardaí will issue a fine for €100 to every adult present who is in breach of this regulation.

For example, if the driver of a car has two adult passengers then each of the three adults in the car will receive a €100 fine.

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) February 6, 2021

These regulations currently state, “any other person who is not ordinarily resident in the State shall not travel within a relevant geographical location without reasonable excuse.”

“An Garda Síochána has been consistent in our graduated policing response to supporting public health regulations and guidelines in line with our tradition of policing by consent. This has seen Gardaí engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.” said a Garda spokesperson.

“From Monday, February 8th, 2021, if enforcement is required, Gardaí will issue a Fixed Payment Notice (FPN) for €100 to every adult present who is in breach of this regulation. For example, if the driver of a car has two adult passengers then each of the three adults in the car will receive a €100 fine.”

An Garda Síochána is also continuing to conduct checkpoints on access roads to airports and ports, as well as in departure areas, to check on whether people travelling to these locations are undertaking an essential journey.

“Travelling to an airport or port to take a holiday abroad is not an essential journey.” added the Garda spokesperson.

“Since January 29th, 2021, Gardaí have issued approximately 375 fines at Dublin Airport to people for leaving the country for non-essential travel.”