Gardaí to spot-check pubs, ensure health rules are followed
:: Flouters face ‘strong measures’
GARDAÍ are carrying out checks on pubs and restaurants this weekend to ensure they are complying with public health guidelines.
In a statement issued after a Cabinet sub-committee meeting on the Covid-19 emergency, the Government said “strong enforcement measures” will be taken against businesses failing to comply with the strict health rules.
The committee expressed concerns that pubs operating as restaurants were not adhering to Covid guidelines.
“The Government will review a report on compliance from the relevant State authorities, including An Garda Síochána, the public health, and health and safety authorities, at its meeting on Monday,” it said.
“Strong enforcement measures will be taken against premises that are not operating in accordance with public health guidelines.
“Beginning this weekend, An Garda Síochána will conduct checks of licensed premises nationwide in relation to adherence to the public health guidelines,” it added.
Officers began carrying out the searches under Operation Navigation yesterday evening.
Deputy Commissioner for policing and security John Twomey said the initiative comes as some publicans and customers seem to be ignoring the regulations.
“When licensed premises were initially shut under the public health guidelines, An Garda Síochána checked thousands of licensed premises to ensure they remained closed, which the vast, vast majority did.
“Our intention in this latest phase was to conduct a large number of spot checks of licensed premises. However, it now appears that just a few days after their introduction some licensed premises and their customers are ignoring the public health guidelines.
“By doing so, they are putting themselves and everyone they then come into contact with at risk of getting Covid-19. This is not acceptable and we are now expanding our planned checks.”
At the same time, the Government has eased gathering rules for religious services and drafted guidelines for places of worship where more than 50 people can attend.
The committee said each premises should carry out a review to determine how many people it can safely hold.
They decided that where the size of the premises allows for a capacity of greater than 50, this may be permitted only if social distancing guidelines can be adhered to.
The building must be divided into distinct sections of no more than 50 people and there must be a minimum of four metres between the sections.
Each section is required to have separate entrances and exits.
The developments come as it was reported another two people have died from Covid19, bringing the death toll from the infection here so far to 1,740.
Another nine people have been diagnosed with the virus, pushing the total to 25,498 since the pandemic began.
The Department of Health confirmed deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn will take on an acting chief medical officer role from next week.
It follows the decision by chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan to take time out to care for his wife Emer, who is receiving palliative care for cancer.