People from Northern Ireland will be fined €100 if they cross the border into the Republic of Ireland without a reasonable excuse from Monday onwards.
The new regulations have been announced by An Garda Síochána and the fines will be applied if enforcement is required.
It says anyone engaged in cross-border travel from 7am on Monday, or anyone not ordinarily resident in this State engaging in travel in the jurisdiction without a reasonable excuse may be liable to receive a fine of €100.
The Gardaí will issue a Fixed Payment Notice (FPN) for €100 to every adult present who is in breach of this regulation. For example, if the driver of a car has two adult passengers then each of the three adults in the car will receive a €100 fine, it has said in a statement.
And people travelling to an airport or port to take a holiday abroad are now liable for a €500 fine each for undertaking a non-essential journey.
People in the Republic of Ireland are also advised to stay within the 5km limit when undertaking exercise this weekend.
To date, An Garda Síochána has issued approximately 4,600 fines for breaches of COVID-19 regulations.
Of these, 3,523 have related to non-essential travel.
“An Garda Síochána has been consistent in our graduated policing response to supporting public health regulations and guidelines in line with our tradition of policing by consent. This has seen Gardaí engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce,” it said in a statement.
An Garda Síochána is also continuing to conduct checkpoints on access roads to airports and ports, as well as in departure areas.
Since 29 January 2021, Gardaí have issued approximately 375 fines at Dublin Airport to people for leaving the country for non-essential travel.
Gardaí have also intervened with house parties right across the country with in excess of 300 fines issued for either organising or attending a house party.
It has also to date issued 94 fines for the non-wearing of face masks in certain locations with the vast majority of these – 70 – being in retail premises.
The public should also be aware that if a driver is found to be in breach of the non-essential travel regulations that not only can the driver be fined, but their adult passengers as well. This is also the case for adults in groups undertaking activities such as cycling or walking – every adult in such a group can be fined, it said.
Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, John Twomey said: “Despite the significant challenges and sacrifices, the vast majority of people continue to comply with the public health advice. We thank them for that and ask them to keep it up.
“However, there also continues to be a minority who are putting themselves, their loved ones, their friends, and their neighbours at risk of getting COVID-19 by not adhering to the regulations.
“COVID-19 doesn’t switch-off so that people can attend parties, or go on holidays, or gather in large groups.
“The message is clear and has been for some time – people should only make essential journeys, reduce their contacts, practice social distancing, and wash their hands. Please stay safe and keep others safe by staying home.”