The Mayor of Newtown has expressed dismay at the Welsh Government's decision to place a two-week national lockdown from this Friday.

Cllr David Selby has urged the town's residents to "pull together" and to keep in touch with vulnerable and lonely people in their community as the winter months draw in.

“I am dismayed, as I am sure most in the town are," he said. 

"It is not for me to debate whether this will work or whether it needed here in Powys, but what I do say is that the town and its residents will have to pull together just as we had to do earlier in the year.

READ MORE: Wales to enter second lockdown

READ MORE: Circuit-breaker lockdown 'damaging' to Powys, say Montgomeryshire MS and MP

"We are a resilient town and community, now used to organising help and assistance and we will do that again.

"We have learnt by now that the effects of Covid-19 are far more than the illness its self. Loneliness, despair, lack of income and concerns for our futures are widespread and difficult."

For those who need extra help can contact the Newtown Network on 0333 996 1124.

County Times: Russell George MS and Welsh Conservative leader Paul Davies MS. Pic: Mike Sheridan/County TimesRussell George MS and Welsh Conservative leader Paul Davies MS. Pic: Mike Sheridan/County Times

Montgomeryshire MS Russell George believes a second national lockdown is the "wrong decision" for mid Wales.

Mr George tweeted following the Welsh Government's announcement on Monday afternoon: "The impact on people and businesses in Powys, where we have lower rates of Covid-19 cases is not proportionate. What may be correct for urban areas of South Wales, is not correct for mid Wales!"

Paul Davies, Conservative leader of the opposition in the Senedd, said the lockdown's impact on businesses in rural areas such as Powys will be "severe".

He said: "Sadly, the First Minster has failed to get public support for this second Wales-wide lockdown, failing to be open and transparent about the evidence to justify this lockdown and what his actions will entail for the future.

"The Welsh Government also has to be honest that this road they are taking us down is committing Wales to rolling Wales-wide lockdowns.

"This is not a two-week break to solve the pandemic, it is likely that we will see regular lockdowns across the rest of the year.

"The Welsh Government must be clear what actions they are taking during the lockdown to prevent further Wales-wide lockdowns which will have a significant impact on people's lives and livelihoods.

"However, the main concern is that this national lockdown is not proportionate.

"The impact on businesses in areas such as Powys, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, who have the lowest rate of Covid-19 cases in Wales, will be severe at a time when they are desperately struggling to recover from the pandemic so far this year.

"The First Minister needs to urgently come to the Welsh Parliament and answer these questions, to face effective scrutiny by elected representatives and not run his government by media."

Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of Wales' teachers' union NASUWT, said: “There is no doubt that Wales has reached the point where severe measures must be taken to bring Covid-19 transmission under control. The last month has seen the exponential growth in the rate of Coronavirus transmission and the full reopening of schools.

"It is essential that Ministers’ decisions are led by the scientific evidence and advice. It is disappointing that the Welsh Government has bowed to political pressure by opening schools to 100% of learners, despite increasing evidence of the role of schools in the spread of the virus.

“Going forwards, if the measures announced today do not bring the virus under control, the Welsh Government should not rule out considering additional measures that include all schools.”