PSNI caution about sticking to Covid-19 rules on Saint Patrick’s Day as sun shines on NI

Today the Met Office say Northern Ireland will be “dry and bright with some hazy sunshine”,

They add that today should being “a dry bright day” but “high cloud turning any sunshine hazy”.

The forecaster adds there will be the “light northwest winds” and a “maximum temperature of 14 °C”.

Tonight, according to the Met Office, will be “mostly dry” with “mainly high level cloud to start the evening, but low cloud soon thickens”. Also forecast overnight is “some patchy light drizzle”. They add that the minimum temperature 5 °C.

Meanwhile tomorrow (Thursday) the Met Office forecast “a rather dull day with fairly extensive low cloud”.

“This may be thick enough to give the odd spot of patchy light drizzle at times,” they add. The maximum temperature is forecast to be 12 °C.

And the outlook for Friday to Sunday, according to the forecaster is “a mostly cloudy few days” which is “largely dry, but some patchy light drizzle is possible over the weekend”.

The news comes as the PSNI cautioned hundreds of extra police officers will be on duty for a “robust” response to St Patrick’s Day rule breakers.

PSNI assistant chief constable Alan Todd said people knew the rules and those breaking them could expect to face stiff fines.

“The four Es approach starts now.

“If people breach that…then they can expect a robust response.”

The four Es stands for the graduated policing response adopted during the pandemic including engaging, explaining and encouraging before enforcing.

Mr Todd said people who had been fined before risked even tougher penalties.

He added wrongdoing like drinking in public places was enforceable even without the coronavirus regulations in place.

Today on social media PSNI Facebook pages have all posted a ‘Happy Saint Patrick’s Day’ message with the slogan - ‘Stay safe today, stay at home and in your bubble. If you must travel for an essential reason please remember to maintain safe social distance and wear a face covering when required’.

A further message from Mid abd East Antrim Police Facebook page adds: “We are on patrol and have been conducting checkpoints around e local beauty spots this morning to keep our community safe.”

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