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PSNI issues 100 warnings to people breaking coronavirus restrictions

The PSNI have been conducting patrols and check points with gardai, including this one on the Derry/Donegal border. Picture from PSNI/Twitter 
The PSNI have been conducting patrols and check points with gardai, including this one on the Derry/Donegal border. Picture from PSNI/Twitter  The PSNI have been conducting patrols and check points with gardai, including this one on the Derry/Donegal border. Picture from PSNI/Twitter 

Police have issued around 100 warnings across Northern Ireland to people who are flouting coronavirus restrictions.

The PSNI has the power to issue £60 penalty notices for people who do not stick to social distancing rules.

Those who continue not to comply with the rules can be prosecuted.

However, no penalty notices have been issued, police said.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Holidaymakers 'using backroads to avoid checkpoints'Opens in new window ]

A spokeswoman said: "We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of our approach and will keep it under review as we go forward."

Police said they will set up more roadblocks from today, particularly at beauty spots and roads to seaside resorts. 

"If you don’t have a reasonable explanation, we will turn you back," a spokeswoman said. 

"And if you don’t listen to that advice we will issue a fixed penalty notice."

They said if people continue to break the regulations, including visiting a holiday home, police will have to crack down on rule-breakers.

"The vast majority of people have by and large complied with the request to stay at home to protect the health service and to save lives but there are unfortunately a number of people who continue to ignore the messaging," a spokeswoman said.

"So whilst our approach will continue to be engaging with people, explaining the regulations and encourage them to comply, I think there are a small number of people, if the trend continues over the weekend, can expect to see us move to the fourth ‘E’ which is some form of enforcement.”

Gardai continued to turn holiday makers back on border roads in Donegal yesterday.
Gardai continued to turn holiday makers back on border roads in Donegal yesterday. Gardai continued to turn holiday makers back on border roads in Donegal yesterday.

Police said they had received several complaints about people visiting caravan parks.

All caravan parks are closed during the pandemic.

However, the PSNI said there are a small number of exemptions, including if a person uses their caravan as their main home or needs the accommodation while moving house or to attend a funeral.