CHECKPOINTS are being ramped up across the county with a strong message for people to stay at home. Speaking to the Donegal News yesterday Milford’s Superintendent David Kelly praised the efforts of the community in Donegal for adhering to government guidelines, and said he hopes they will not have to exercise the new powers signed into law this week.
The regulations give Gardai the power to issue specific fines for breaches and potentially detain people who are refusing to follow the Covid-19 measures.
“We are asking everyone to comply with the government policy which is to remain at your primary address, only leave for essential purposes and if you do leave remain within two kilometres of your home for exercise and maintain social distancing. I would like to praise the local community for following the government policy and we hope that we don’t have to exercise these new powers.”
Serious concerns have been raised about people travelling to holiday homes over Easter and Supt Kelly said he is appealing to people to remain in their primary residence.
“I would appeal for people to stay at home where their own medical records are available to them from their local GP in the event they do become unwell,” he urged.
People who have already travelled to their holiday home must now stay there and said this is now their place of residence. Commissioner Drew Harris also announced that there will be more than 50 checkpoints nationwide this weekend and said people will be given every opportunity to comply before Gardai go anywhere near enforcement.
“In Donegal we will be operating that policy that has been outlined by the commissioner,” said Supt Kelly.
“We would ask people not to make journeys if they are not 100 per cent in line with the government guidance.”
Normal policing work continues and said they have had detections of drink and drug driving in the county over the last few weeks. Politicians have also weighed in, urging people not to travel to their holiday or mobile homes. Charlie McConalogue TD (FF) said although restrictions are difficult they are in place to save lives.
“Every Easter, we see an influx across the county, of people who provide a boost to the local economy. This year that is not an option, and I am urging our seasonal visitors to please stay at home this bank holiday weekend,” said Deputy McConalogue.
“I would be very worried about people coming into our county to their second homes when they should be staying in their own communities to contain the spread of the virus as much as possible.”
Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (SF) also condemned reports of people staying in holiday homes, mobile homes and taking day trips to the beach in recent days.
“I cannot believe that there are still people just ignoring the advice and now the emergency law,” he said.
“The gardaí now have the necessary powers to enforce these emergency laws. If you are planning to visit Donegal or travel more than 2km from your home for anything other than going to work, caring for your loved ones or shopping in your nearest store, please don’t do it. Hopefully no one will be detained or fined in Donegal in the time ahead but that is up to everyone to do what is right by our community and our country.”
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