Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and to collect information about how you use this site to improve our service to you. By not accepting cookies some elements of the site, such as video, will not work. Please visit our Cookie Policy page for more information on how we use cookies.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) (1/3/20)

Covid

On this page you can find the following:

Current Advice and Level

COVID-19 Fixed Payment Notices

COVID-19 Related Statistics

Latest News from An Garda Síochána

Latest Videos from An Garda Síochána

Crime Prevention Advice

Current Advice, Level and Updates

HSE Information on COVID-19 Vaccine

Things you need to register online

To register online you need:

If you do not have these things, call the COVID-19 helpline to register by phone instead.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing

Registering someone else

You can also use this service to register someone else. Read our guide on how to prepare to register someone else.
If you need to register more than 1 person, you need to log out after every registration. Use the icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen to log out and then start again.

After you register

We will send you text messages with your vaccination appointment details 3 to 7 days before your appointments.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccines please visit https://www2.hse.ie/screening-and-vaccinations/covid-19-vaccine/

Covid-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting.

The government has agreed Ireland’s plan for the next of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting.

To see the latest on public health measures and a guide to the changes here.

Current HSE Guidelines on How to Wear Face Coverings

Below are two infographics in English and Irish on how to wear face coverings:

hse-face-covering-guidelines-poster-screen-Copy  covid-19-face-covering-guidelines-poster

An Garda Síochána would like to remind you that the current HSE advice is that that cloth face coverings/masks are superior to visors.  Wear face coverings when you’re shopping, on public transport or when it’s difficult to social distance.

HSE press release

The 4Es Approach - Engage, Explain, Encourage and as a last resort Enforce

4E's

In respect of regulations which are not declared to be Penal Regulations under the Health Act 1947 as amended, An Garda Síochána will utilise the following three Es from the 4E approach - engage, explain and encourage, only.

In respect of regulations which are declared to be Penal Regulations under the Health Act 1947 as amended, An Garda Síochána adopts the approach of the four Es which sees Gardaí engage, explain, encourage, and as a last resort, enforce. 

5 Things to Know/Remember

  1. Stay home;
  2. Wear a face covering;
  3. Wash your hands;
  4. Practice good cough and sneeze etiquette;
  5. Know the symptoms.

Five things to know

Updated HSE public health advice brochures - By County

Contacting An Garda Síochána - #HeretoHelp

Contacting An Garda Síochána

All Public Offices of Garda stations remain open. However, if you need to contact An Garda Síochána please consider the following:

- In an emergency always dial 999/112 - You should use this service if a crime or incident is happening now or if anyone is in immediate danger.
- Non-emergency or general enquiries:
- For non-emergency or general enquiries, you can contact your local Garda Station by Telephone and Email;
- Contact details for all Garda stations and key offices are available in the Garda Stations Directory.

#HeretoHelp #StayHome #StaySafe

Other Ways to Report Information to An Garda Síochána
Garda Confidential Line1800 666 111
Traffic Watch0818 205 805
Crimestoppers Freefone1800 250 025
Bribery and Corruption Confidential Reporting Line1800 40 60 80

Advice Relating to Attendance at Funeral Services, Wakes, Burials and Cremations

Advice for attending wake, funeral service, burial or cremation Poster
Funerals poster v2

Only 10 people are allowed to attend a funeral at present. This is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by limiting contacts. It includes attendance at the wake, funeral service, burial or cremation. Let’s use other ways to sympathise until the restrictions are lifted. #StayHome

Walk in Covid-19 testing centre

As part of the HSE’s enhanced COVID-19 testing for local communities, ‘walk-in' Covid-19 testing centres have opened.

To find out more about these test centres, their locations and to avail of a Covid-19 test visit here on the HSE website.

Increase in the FPN relating to Travel Restrictions as of 12 April 2021

An Garda Síochána can now issue Fixed Payment Notices of €2000 (this was previously €500) for the following offences related to travel restrictions:
  1. Travelling from your home to an airport or port to leave the State without a reasonable excuse (Offence code HC1114).

COVID-19 Fixed Payment Notices

COVID-19 Fixed Payment Notices (updated 9 February 2021)

A number of offences under SI 560, SI 244 and SI 296 are now deemed to be Fixed Payment Notice Offences. Please see https://www.hse.ie/eng/ for current COVID-19 guidance. 
 
Face Coverings:

Members of the public must wear a face covering in the following instances unless they have a reasonable excuse:

  • on public transport;
  • in certain premises ('Certain premises' includes shops, shopping centres, libraries, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, bingo halls, museums, nail salons, hairdressers, tattoo and piercing studios, travel agents, laundries, dry cleaners, bookmakers, train stations and bus stations.);
  • in small public service vehicles (This refers to the obligation of the taxi driver to take all reasonable steps to ensure people wear a face covering in taxis.);
  • a worker in a relevant premises (This refers to the obligation for workers in shops to wear face coverings.);
  • a responsible person in a relevant premises (This refers to the obligation for the manager/owner/occupier to wear a face covering if they are involved in the preparation or service of food and/or beverages for consumption on the premises.).

Reasonable excuses include where a person:

  • Cannot put one on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness, impairment or disability or without severe distress
  • Needs to communicate with another person who has difficulties communicating
  • Removes the face covering to provide emergency assistance or to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person
  • Removes the face covering to take medication
  • Removes the face covering to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury.

The regulations on face coverings do not apply to children under the age of 13. 

Where an offence is detected and involves a child under 18 years of age, they may be dealt with through the Juvenile diversion program.

Travel Restrictions:

It is not permitted to travel without a reasonable excuse in the following instances:

  • leaving your home; 
  • travelling from your home to an airport or port to leave the State (e.g. going on holiday)
  • anyone who is not ordinarily resident in the State (for example, someone who doesn’t have a permanent or temporary residence) is not permitted to travel in the State.
House Parties/Events:

It is an offence to do the following:

  • organise house parties;
  • organise other relevant events;
  • be an attendee at a house parties.

The 4Es Approach - Indirect Enforcement

Public transport

To enforce the regulations on the wearing of face coverings on public transport, a ‘relevant person' (public transport operator such as a bus driver or train driver) must first ask an individual to wear a face covering. If the individual refuses, then the relevant person can ask them to leave the public transport or not to get on the public transport. The relevant person can then call the Gardaí for assistance if required.
 

Certain premises

The owner or manager of the premises has a responsibility to encourage people to wear a face covering, and they should take all reasonable steps to engage with the individual before Gardaí are called for assistance.     
    

Enforcement is a last resort

Garda members will continue to use the 4 Es: Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce. Enforcement should only be used when necessary and proportionate. 

Garda Actions if a Person is Non-Compliant

Public transport: The offence here is failing to comply with the request of a relevant person. Gardaí will establish if the relevant person has given a direction to comply with the regulations. Garda attending at the incident will record the name of that relevant person and what exact requirement they made of the suspect offender.

The Garda member will use the 4 Es with the individual and clearly explain that at this point they are committing an offence, and give them an opportunity to come into compliance with the relevant persons request. (wear a face mask)

Gardaí will then give the individual a direction under Section 31A(7) to come into compliance with the request of the relevant person. If they continue to fail to comply, Gardaí may consider that the offence has been committed and can demand the individual's name and address under Section 31A(9).
 
Certain premises: The offence here is failing to wear a face covering in certain premises. A responsible person (e.g. shop owner/ manager) must take all reasonable steps to bring the individual into compliance. The responsible person cannot make a lawful requirement like the bus driver can. This person can only advise. Therefore, if Gardaí are called to assist, and will identify the responsible person and establish what action they have taken to bring the person into compliance.

Once this is established, Garda members can engage with the individual. An opportunity to come into compliance should be given. If this fails, Gardaí can give a direction to the individual under Section 31A(7) to come into compliance. If they continue to fail to comply, Gardaí may consider that the offence has been committed and  demand the individual's name and address under Section 31A(9).
 
A Garda member can arrest without warrant an individual who doesn’t give their name and address, or who gives a false or misleading name and address.
 
If the individual does not comply with the Garda directions on the wearing of face coverings on public transport or in certain premises, then a Fixed Payment Notice will issue.

The issuing of these Fixed Payment Notices will be at the discretion of the individual member. The individual Garda member is not required to consult with the DPP or with their Divisional Officer before issuing a fine for the specific offences outlined below.
 
Note: Failure to comply with a Garda direction issued under Section 31A(7) is a separate offence, but not a Fixed Payment Notice Offence.

It is the investigating Garda member’s decision to decide if a separate investigation file is required for the DPP for that offence, but the issue of an FPN may be sufficient.

Offences and Payment Amounts (Updated 12 April 2021)

(Updated 12 April 2021)

Members can now issue Fixed Payment Notices of €2000 for the following offences related to travel restrictions:
  1. Travelling from your home to an airport or port to leave the State without a reasonable excuse (Offence code HC1114).
Members can now issue Fixed Payment Notices of €500 for the following offences related to house parties and relevant events:
  1. Organisers of house parties - Event in Dwelling – Organiser(Offence code HC1074).
  2. Organisers of other relevant events -Event – Organiser (Offence code HC1026).
Members can now issue Fixed Payment Notices of €150 for the following offence related to house parties:
  1. Attendees of house parties - Event in dwelling – Attendee (Offence code HC1064).

Members can now issue Fixed Payment Notices of €100 for the following offence related to movement of persons:
  1. Travelling without a reasonable excuse (Offence code HC1054). 
  2. Anyone who is not ordinarily resident in the State (for example, someone who doesn’t have a permanent or temporary residence) is not permitted to travel in the State without a reasonable excuse (Offence code HC1124).
Members can now issue Fixed Payment Notices of €80 for the following 7 offences related to the wearing of face coverings:
  1. Not wearing a face covering on public transport (Offence code HC1016A)
  2. Remain off public transport without a face covering (Offence code HC1016B). This refers to someone failing to comply with a direction from the relevant person (e.g. bus driver) to remain off public transport without a face covering.
  3. Alight from public transport (Offence code HC1016C). This refers to someone refusing to get off public transport when directed to do by a relevant person for not wearing a face covering.
  4. Not wearing a face covering in certain premises (Offence code HC1044). 'Certain premises' includes shops, shopping centres, libraries, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, bingo halls, museums, nail salons, hairdressers, tattoo and piercing studios, travel agents, laundries, dry cleaners, bookmakers, train stations and bus stations.  
  5. Not wearing a face covering in small public service vehicles (Offence code HC1084). This refers to the obligation of the taxi driver to take all reasonable steps to ensure people wear a face covering in taxis.
  6. Not wearing a face covering by a worker in a relevant premises (Offence code HC1094). This refers to the obligation for workers in shops to wear face coverings.
  7. Not wearing a face covering by a responsible person in a relevant premises (Offence code HC1104). This refers to the obligation for the manager/owner/occupier to wear a face covering if they are involved in the preparation or service of food and/or beverages for consumption on the premises.

Samples of Fixed Payment Notices

Sample FPN Offence Wording re SI 560

COVID-19 FPN Cancellation Request Form and Guidance Notes

COVID-19 Related Statistics

 

COVID-19 Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) Statistics

Click here to see the statistics from the COVID-19 Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB)

Full COVID-19 Statistics Tables - Up to 23 October 2021

CategoryTotalNo. with Proceedings Commenced to DateNo. with DPP - No Proceedings to Date

Initial Lockdown Period – 8 April up to 28 June 2020

Breaches of Health Act 1947 (Operation Fanacht etc…)

363

260

71

Since 29 June 2020 up to 23 October 2021 Health Act 1947 [1]

1,247

756

121

Licensed Premises

  (Operation Navigation – commenced 3 July 202)

472

242

121

Retail Premises

  (Operation Treoráim – commenced 25 October 2020)

235

133

42

Face Covering Regulations

(File to DPP)

69

49

4

International Travel Regulations - Passenger Locator Forms

6

4

1

International Travel Regulations - Failure to Provide a Negative PCR Test

782

273

91

Up to 23 October 2021

Use of Anti-Spit Guards

141

Spitting Assaults on Members

382

[1] Excludes Licensed Premises, Retail Premises, Face Coverings and International Travel Regulations.

New Since Last Release - 11 July to 23 October 2021

Category Total No. Proceedings Commenced to Date
Breaches of Health Act 1947[1]292
Licensed Premises (Operation Navigation)70
Retail Premises (Operation Treoraím)0N/A
Face Covering Regulations (File to DPP)41
International Travel Regulations - Passenger Locator Forms0N/A
International Travel Regulations - Failure to Provide a Negative PCR Test771

[1] Excludes Licensed Premises, Retail Premises, Face Coverings and International Travel Regulations.

Latest News from An Garda Síochána

July 2020

31 July 2020 - Operation Navigation Update - August Bank Holiday Weekend

An Garda Síochána’s Operation Navigation will continue this Bank Holiday weekend with a focus on compliance with the Public Health Regulations, by way of continued visits to Licensed Premises.

Videos from An Garda Síochána

Operational Briefing from Deputy Commissioner Twomey on Policing Plan in Response to COVID-19 Restrictions, 6th January 2021

Current COVID-19 Level 5 Information Videos in Several Languages October 2020

HSE multi-lingual video messages on Covid-19 vaccines now available in 36 languages

The HSE has launched 36 multi-lingual video messages on the Covid19 vaccine in Ireland.

The videos are available in the following languages:

Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (Mandarin), Croatian, Czech, English, Filipino, French, Georgian, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Kurdish Sorani, Latvian, Lingala, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Moldovan, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Urdu, Yoruba and Zulu

Previous COVID-19 Information Videos in Several Languages and Other Videos March/April 2020

Physical Distancing Video

Physical Distancing Saves Lives

Physical distancing is keeping a 2m (6ft) space between you and other people. You should not shake hands or make close contact where possible.

This video demonstrates 2 metres:

Crime Prevention Advice

Home Security and Dealing with Unexpected Callers

Home security and dealing with unexpected callers

Please read our leaflets for crime prevention advice on dealing with unexpected callers and home security:

Covid 19 Unexpected Callers Crime Prevention Advice DiversityCovid 19 Home Crime Prevention Advice Diversity
Covid-19 Unexpected Callers Crime Prevention Leaflet (Diversity)Covid-19 Home Crime Prevention Leaflet (Diversity)

These leaflets are available in multiple languages at the end of this page.

Securing Vacant Building Sites

Please read this leaflet and guidance document for crime prevention advice on securing vacant building sites:

Covid-19 Securing Building SitesSecuring Vacant Building Sites FINAL_1
Covid-19 Securing Building Sites LeafletSecuring Building Sites Guidance