First Minister Mark Drakeford has accused England of being a global outlier in its more relaxed Covid restrictions and said Boris Johnson is "politically paralysed".
Mr Drakeford was asked at Friday's Welsh Government Covid press conference about criticisms from Conservative MPs that Wales’ Covid rules are ‘damaging’, ‘ludicrous’ and ‘political posturing’.
Asked how he could justify tougher rules, the First Minister said people should not ask why Wales is not following England but why the Westminster Government is not following Wales' stricter Covid restrictions.
Read more: The good news from Wales' hospitals despite the number of Covid patients growing massively
Mr Drakeford said Boris Johnson’s government was failing to protect people in England.
He said: “The outlier here is not Wales. Wales is taking action. As is Scotland. As is Northern Ireland. And as are countries right across Europe and right across the globe.
“The one country that stands out as not taking an action to protect its population is England.
“The question is not why is Wales not following what is going on in England - the real question is why is England such a global outlier in the way governments across the world are attempting to protect their populations from coronavirus.
“The political contrast between England and Wales is this: here in Wales we have a government that is capable of taking the action needed and act, where necessary, to protect our population.
“In England we have a government that is politically paralysed with a Prime Minister unable to secure an agreement in his cabinet to take the actions his advisers have been telling him ought to be taken. And even if he can get his cabinet to agree then he cannot get his MPs to agree.”
Mark Drakeford was speaking as the latest data shows Wales still has some of the highest infection rates in the UK, 12 days on from stricter restrictions being imposed here on Boxing Day.
According to the UK government dashboard, Wales' infection rate is 2,577 cases for every 100k people in the last week. In contrast Scotland's is 2,079 and England's 1,786. Northern Ireland has the highest rate in the UK at 2,852. Three council areas Blaenau Gwent, RCT and Merthyr have higher rates than any of the English hotspots.
Here is a full list of the alert level two measures introduced at 6am on Boxing Day in Wales:
A general requirement of 2m social distancing in all premises open to the public and workplaces, where reasonable.
The rule of six will apply to gatherings in regulated premises, such as hospitality, cinemas and theatres.
All licensed premises will need to take additional measures to protect customers and staff, including table service and collecting contact details.
Face coverings will be required in hospitality settings at all times apart from when seated.
Large events will not be allowed indoors or outdoors. The maximum number of people who can gather at an indoor event will be 30 and 50 outdoors.
There will be an exception for team sports, up to 50 spectators will be able to gather, in addition to those taking part. There is also an exception for events involving children.
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