AN Garda Síochána has
started a major nationwide policing operation
focused on supporting public compliance with the new
public health measures .
Following recent announcements by An Taoiseach of
the necessity for people to undertake a range of
public health measures to help stop the spread
of COVID-19, there will be high visibility
patrolling by Garda members across the country this
weekend.
The focus of this activity will be on encouraging
people to adhere to public health measures as
announced by Leo Varadkar.
The policing operation runs until 7am on Monday
morning (March 30) and will involve thousands of
Gardaí on foot, bike and mobile patrols.
While An Garda Síochána will seek to encourage
people to maintain the necessary public health
measures, it will intervene where venues/ outlets
are not in compliance or where groups of people are
not adhering to recommended measures.
An Garda Síochána acknowledges that the vast
majority of the public are being responsible and
making great efforts to implementing
public health measures including social
distancing guidelines, this includes staying active
as a family unit and availing of fresh air and
exercise.
However, the presence of large crowds in any one
area reduces the effective impact of social
distancing.
An Garda Síochána asks people and families to
continue to be responsible, not to attend popular
locations for overly long periods and where the
numbers of persons starts to increase at any
location to leave such areas.
Announcing An Garda Síochána’s operation for this
weekend Commissioner Drew Harris said, "An Garda
Síochána’s priority is keeping people safe and that
will continue this weekend. There will be a major
policing plan across the country with high
visibility of Garda members at key locations.
"It is vital that people adhere to the social
distancing guidelines. This will reduce the spread
of COVID-19 and save lives. The vast majority of
people are complying with the guidelines and we want
that to continue this weekend. By all of us working
together, we can flatten the curve and keep our
loved ones safe.” |
