BUSINESSES in Powys are preparing for the 'new normal' as they await the green light from the Welsh Government to re-open.

With the UK Government having lifted coronavirus restrictions in England, allowing non-essential shops to re-open, business in Wales are still waiting on a similar announcement being made made by the First Minister Mark Drakeford.

He is due to announce the next review of lockdown measures tomorrow (Friday, June 19), and that is understood to include an easing of restrictions on non-essential retailers.

Many businesses in Powys are preparing to open their doors for the first time in three months, introducing measures similar to those in England, designed to adhere to social distancing and keeping customers and staff as safe as possible.

These measures include installing screens at tills and limiting the number of customers allowed in at a time.

The County Times has spoken to businesses in Newtown town centre to find out how they are preparing to re-open.

Cheryl Griffiths, of Rush Fancy Dress on Severn Street, said: "We'll try and get a screen at the till and the shop is big enough to do 'one way in, one way out'.

"We will open from 11am to 3pm and outside those hours it will be appointment only.

"The main part of our business is sewing, the dress making, which obviously requires close contact with the customer when they are being fitted.

"We've had no guidance on that so far, so the best we can do is have special fitting appointments so we can prepare in advance for the customer and our staff to be properly protected.

"It's dependent on the Welsh Government, but we are hoping to be open from July 1."

She added: "During lockdown we've been volunteering making scrubs and PPE for the 'For the Love of Scrubs – North Powys' Facebook group.

"It's group with more than 1,000 members, the community working together, and our shop has been a hub for the group."

Jodie Evans, who runs the Nail Envy salon and academy on Market Street, says she has been busy behind the scenes working hard.

She has re-taken her Barbicide training in sanitation and disinfection practices and completed the Guild Training International COVID-19 infection Prevention and control training, and has a new policy for all customers to read, which can be found on the Nail Envy Facebook page.

All tools and equipment will be disinfected in line with guidelines, the salon will be cleaned frequently, and once re-open will operate a one person per appointment policy.

Rob Oliver, of general store Olivers on Broad Street, says what he is most looking forward too is seeing his customers again.

He said: "We're really looking forward to seeing our customers again, really excited.

"The measures we have taken are standard - we've got a screen at the counter the safety of our customers and staff is paramount of course, we have to make sure everyone is safe.

"We're waiting on the Welsh Government and we're hoping for good news. We're ready to open as soon as they say we can. It's been very frustrating but we're very much looking forward to getting the doors open.

"It won't be quite the same as it was, but it will be some form of normality."