stickywicket wrote:TopCat CCFC wrote:Coronavirus: Tory MPs demand evidence for five-mile travel advice
Eleven Conservative MPs have called on Welsh ministers to explain the "scientific basis" behind the decision to allow more activity outdoors - but only locally.
On Monday people in Wales were given the right to go outdoors and meet others from another household, but only within a local area.
A restriction of five miles was given as a "general rule".
The Welsh Government was asked for comment.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said the decision aimed to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading.
The five-mile guidance has been heavily criticised by Senedd Welsh Conservatives, who have accused the Welsh Government of ignoring the needs of rural communities.
Scientific advisors to the Conservative UK government have expressed concern at the speed lockdown is being eased in England. In England, the UK government has allowed for unlimited travel and for groups of six to meet.
A letter penned by Ynys Mon MP Virginia Crosbie, and signed by all Welsh Tory MPs barring the Welsh Secretary Simon Hart and Wales Office minister David TC Davies, asked for the scientific basis for the travel rule and interpretation of it "given that in England there is no restriction on how far you can travel".
It asked if "delays in linking up to the UK testing portal and delays in rolling out Wales' own track and trace digital platform impacted the reluctance to lift measures".
Contact tracing began on Monday, although an IT system to support it will not be in place until next week.
The letter also asked if any assessment had been done of the public health impact of an "overextended lockdown" in Wales, and of any mental health and educational impacts from delaying reopening the economy.
Out in the Country. if you travel 5 Country miles to get to the shop you can travel 5 country miles to see relatives in the garden.However have a piss before you leave home as you can't use the bog when you get there.
Just doesn't make sense 5 miles around Cardiff is hundreds thousands of people is that minimal risk distance! Yet here it's one man and dog or sheep..... its 16 miles to nearest big store here!!
The more he trys to explain his decision making worst he sounds