Gardaí to target beaches and beauty spots when restrictions ease on Monday

GARDAÍ will be on patrol at beaches and other beauty spots in Cork next week as the first phase of the roadmap to reopening the country gets underway.

The first phase of restrictions due to be lifted on Monday include the reopening of beaches and mountain walks.

However, social distancing must be observed and they can only be accessed by people living within a five kilometre radius.

Under the plan, people can exercise - either on their own or in a group of no more than 4 people - where social distancing can be maintained and where there is no contact with other people.

Chief Superintendent Con Cadogan said that gardaí will be on patrol in the area of beaches across West Cork after Monday to ensure that public health restrictions continue to be observed by people.

He said: "Social distancing will be the big one for us. There will be a lot of checkpoints."

When Covid-19 was first detected in Ireland in March, people flocked to beaches and other beauty spots across the country for walks, helped by good weather.

However, access to such locations was later restricted because of fears over a lack of social distancing.

Next week's first phase will also include a phased return of outdoor workers such as construction workers and gardeners, including people working on allotments.