Coronavirus in Wales: Adviser calls for five-mile travel advice review

Dr Meirion Evans has worked as a consultant epidemiologist for Public Health Wales

The five-mile travel guidance in Wales should be "reviewed" according to a Welsh Government coronavirus adviser.

Dr Meirion Evans, who advises Wales' chief medical officer, said that "the purpose of the journey rather than the distance" should be considered.

He told the BBC that journeys such as visiting family members are "important for society".

A minister suggested a further decision on the issue may be made on Friday.

But a Welsh Government spokesperson said changes would only be made "when it is safe to do so".

Opposition politicians say that people need to travel greater distances than five miles in rural areas.

More than 14,000 people have signed a petition calling on ministers to relax the guidance, introduced at the end of May.

The Welsh Government has said that the limit is a "general rule" rather than law - with Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford suggesting last week that there were "no immediate plans to lift the stay-local message in Wales."

In England, unlimited travel is allowed, although scientific advisors to the Conservative UK government have expressed concern at the speed lockdown is being eased in England.

Speaking on the BBC's Newyddion programme, on S4C, Dr Evans said: "I'd like to see the rule on how far you can travel being reviewed.

"I think it's more important that we consider the purpose of the journey rather than the distance… That it is essential.

"For example going to see family is important for society."

Difference in risk 'isn't very big'

During the pandemic governments across the UK have recommended businesses and individuals maintain a 'social distance' of two metres.

The two-metre rule is currently being reviewed for England. In Wales, it has been part of lockdown legislation since the beginning.

Dr Evans also said that the risk in reducing the two-metre distancing rule to one metre "isn't very big".

"The difference in risk between being within a metre, or more than two metres away, isn't very big," he said.

"It's a matter of deciding whether there's more risk in being closer to someone else, that it's worth taking that risk in order to be able to do far more in terms of opening shops, schools and so on."

Lockdown has been in force since March

The International Relations Minister, Eluned Morgan told a press conference there is a "degree of flexibility" around the five-mile guidance for people living in rural areas.

She said: "We absolutely understand that local in a rural area means something very different from local in an urban area, and that's why we have provided that degree of flexibility."

Ms Morgan said that the Welsh Government would be making some further decisions on the matter on Friday, when the outcome of the next lockdown review is expected to be announced.

The minister said the Welsh Government is closely monitoring the impact of lifting coronavirus lockdown measures on mainland Europe.

Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth called for the Welsh Government to "move forward as quickly as possible as long as they can show that it is safe".

"We need real clarity about what the government's vision is, what it plans as the roadmap ahead, because that lack of certainty is causing real problems for businesses and huge frustration for the population at large."

He said people are finding the five-mile restriction difficult, "though staying local makes sense still".

'Cautious approach' recommended by advisers

Advisors of the Welsh Government have said that releasing lockdown measures in many European countries has not resulted in a rapid rise in the Covid reproduction rate - the R rate.

Ms Morgan said in most countries the R rate had stayed below one, "but there are some strong hints from France, which suggest as more measures are eased, R may be rising".

"The experience from Europe would tell us a cautious approach to further unlocking measures - that's what would be prudent".

The R rate is the average number of people a sick person could pass the virus on to.

'Focus on helping to save lives'

A Welsh Government spokesperson said in response to Dr Evans: "The coronavirus lockdown measures in Wales are in place to help limit the spread of the virus.

"Ministers review all the restrictions in place at each review period - and then decide what, if anything, can be changed.

"Changes will only be made when it is safe to do so. Our focus is on helping to save lives."

The first minister is due to announce the outcome of the latest lockdown review in Wales on Friday.