THE Mayor of Newtown has moved to reassure residents during the Coronavirus crisis,

In an address to town residents, the Mayor Cllr David Selby has outlined the latest steps the town council has had to take during the national lockdown and what can be done to help each other.

He said: "This morning the town wakes up with worries, concerns, and questions about what faces us for the next weeks and months. Our normal lives for the time being are on hold, our social life stalled and family life curtailed. We face an invisible force and we all have to respond in this unnatural and difficult way.

"I am heartened by the response of our businesses, volunteering organisations, and hundreds of local people offering to help those who may need it. This is a town-wide effort to make sure that no one goes without vital medicines, or access to the food and supplies they need.

"The Town Council will have to close its toilets, and playgrounds and most shops will close. The Open Spaces will remain open, but I ask everyone to follow the social distancing guidelines of being in groups of two family members only and keeping two metres apart from others. This decision will be reviewed after a few days.

"The Town Council will use its web site, noticeboards in shops and in town, printed and social media, to pass out information to the town. Please share this information where you can."

Cllr Selby added: We are all neighbours, and we have a wish to look after each other wherever we can. For information about how you can volunteer to help, please join the facebook group: Newtown Network-COVID-19. If you want to volunteer sign up to this group. Local co-ordinators and neighbourhood supporters are being established.

"Much of the voluntary effort will be operated by the many wonderful existing community organisations. You may need to sign up to their training and support.

"If a resident is concerned about not being able to go shopping, needs their prescription, or would like to talk to someone, please call the Community Connectors on 01597 828649.

"Requests for assistance can also be sent to a special Facebook page: NewtownNetworkHelp, Facebook messenger m.me/Newtown Network Help or email newtownmutualaid@gmail.com

"A huge thank you to those who are co-ordinating these efforts and of course to all those in the emergency services, our schools and food outlets. We can’t do without your support at this time.

"Let’s keep talking and discussing and sharing ideas. That helps build a strong and resilient town If you have ideas for how the town and its residents can be supported better, please contact me and I will do my best to point you in the correct direction. My email address is david.selby@newtown.org.uk.

"Thank you again and I look forward to the time when Newtown is open to all again."