Several news outlets including the BBC, Yorkshire Post and Sky, report on calls from rural groups against recent advice to police forces that it is lawful to drive somewhere to exercise, including a trip to the countryside

The groups argue the new rules would cause ‘untold anxieties’ in rural communities and risk spreading the virus through unnecessary journeys. Driving to the countryside for a walk is ‘likely to be reasonable’ if more time is spent walking than driving, the guidance says.

But in a letter to Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, the rural groups claimed the guidance would make managing COVID-19 more difficult.

Police groups say the advice is not for the public - it is meant to help officers decide when to charge someone.

The letter challenging the guidance is signed by the National Rural Crime Network, the Countryside Alliance, the National Farmers' Union, and the Country Land and Business Association.

Full articles:

BBC - UK lockdown: 'Untold anxiety' over police rural exercise advice

Yorkshire Post - Rural residents call for tighter lockdown restrictions over driving to the countryside for exercise

Sky News - Coronavirus: 'Country trips should be banned' after police lockdown guidance changes

AgriLand - Rural organisations call for lockdown travel guidelines to be reviewed