Gardaí have begun a major COVID-19 enforcement operation around the country.

Operation Fanacht will see checkpoints on major roadways and high visibility patrols at popular beauty spots throughout the week and across the Bank Holiday weekend.

Over 2,500 officers will be detailed to the operation at all times over the next six days.

It is the second phase of the operation, which was first rolled out over the Easter Weekend.

#operationfanacht started today at 7am. Garda will be out on checkpoints and engaging with people all over the country, essential journeys in line with public health guidelines only. We can continue to #FlattenTheCurve#StayAtHome#WashYourHandshttps://t.co/2pq6ETsPmE pic.twitter.com/qUmQqrnPmQ

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) April 28, 2020

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Conor Faughnan, Director of Consumer Affairs at AA Ireland said there has been a rise in traffic on the roads in recent weeks.

“We see it through AA Roadwatch and we see it by proxy through our breakdown service, which gives a good indication of what is going on out there,” he said.

“Before Easter, the lockdown was pretty comprehensive – people were not moving.

“But absolutely, form the week after Easter and the week after that again, we watched the volumes go up, day by day by day.

“There is no real commuting rush hour but you do see more traffic up during the day.”

Gardaí stopping cars at a checkpoint near the Bray exit off the M11 as part of Operation Fanacht, 10-04-2020. Image: 10-04-2020. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

It comes amid increasing criticism of the emergency legislation, after it emerged the restrictions can only be enforced on people who are resident in the Republic.

The loophole has led to concern that people will travel across the border from the North in a bid to beat the lockdown.

However, Donegal’s Garda Representative Association spokesperson, Brendan O'Connor says he doesn't anticipate any big issue over the coming days.

“Well I think the overall experience from our members has been quite positive despite the difficult circumstances that they find themselves in and the community finds themselves in,” he said.

“We certainly don’t think that will change. People are displaying a very responsible attitude and the vast majority are very compliant and hopefully that will continue to be the case.”

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris delivering an update on the COVID-19 lockdown, 28-03-2020. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews

He said most people across the island are aware that the restrictions are about keeping themselves and their communities safe.

“We certainly wouldn’t think that overnight, people in neighbouring counties will suddenly start acting irresponsibly,” he said.

“Our members have been dealing with this situation since the introduction of Government policies in restricting people’s movements by consent.

“The position we are in now with people who are non-resident is no different to the position we were in with every citizen prior to the signing of emergency legislation.”

Gardaí are due to release updated figures on the number of people who have been arrested for breaching the restrictions later today; however, as of this day last week, 34 people had been arrested.

Gardaí had also responded to 405 “COVID-19 related” incidents that started as breaches of the restrictions but became other offences.

Operation Fanacht got underway at 7am this morning and will run until Monday night.