Wipe out 'No surfing' as gardai warn people not to break 5km limit to catch a wave in Sligo

Checkpoints are ongoing throughout Sligo and Leitrim, with one such checkpoint being conducted at Strandhill in Sligo.

Gardai reminded the public to only make essential journeys

Brendan Fernando Kelly Palenque

January 15 2021 01:38 PM

Surfing should remain off limits while current Covid-19 guidelines remain, with gardaí in Sligo/Leitrim warning surfers not to break the 5km limit to catch a wave.

Gardaí in Sligo/Leitrim shared a reminder on Facebook advising the public that they should not be travelling long distances to go surfing in places such as Strandhill.

“We would like to remind these people that you will be most welcome in Strandhill to catch all the waves you wish when Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted,” they said.

“But please refrain from visiting now as we all battle this Covid-19 wave upon us.”

Gardai conduct a checkpoint

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They also cautioned that the 5km limit is only in relation to exercise, and for all other journeys - regardless of the distance - you have to have a valid essential reason to be out and about.

According to gardai, checkpoints are ongoing throughout Sligo and Leitrim, with one such checkpoint being conducted at popular surfing spot Strandhill in Sligo.

They posted photos along with the reminder, including one which includes the 5km of Strandhill and captioned it saying: “You MUST be from within this area marked in red to be permitted to exercise in Strandhill.”

Only those living within the red circle are permitted to exercise in Strandhill

Last week, Gardaí announced that they would be bringing back the checkpoints that were carried out in previous lockdowns, and that they’d also be upping their presence in more social areas such as parks.

They said that people should avoid such public spaces if they are crowded.