Locals express mixed feelings as Bangor goes into local lockdown

Bangor has become the first city in Wales to be placed under local lockdown, prompting mixed reaction from locals.

The city lies in Gwynedd, which is one of the few local authority areas in Wales not currently placed under tightened restrictions.

On Friday, the Welsh Government announced Bangor would be the latest area in Wales to come under new rules from Saturday at 6pm, after a rise in cases.

It came in response to a "significant cluster of cases" with outbreaks appearing to be "closely associated with young people and students", the Welsh Government said.

People cannot enter or leave the area without a "reasonable excuse" and can only meet people they do not live with outdoors - the same rules applied to other lockdown areas of Wales.

Some have said welcomed the lockdown, saying they feel stricter measures are needed, but others argue it will not change the situation.


  • ITV Wales' Ian Lang reports from Caernarfon, Gwynedd

The new restrictions apply to everyone living in the eight wards that make up the city of Bangor.

The Pentir ward, which includes parts of Penrhosgarnedd and is the site of Ysbyty Gwynedd, is not covered by the restrictions.

However, the First Minister urged people in Gwynedd to maintain social distancing, and follow guidelines already in place. He said the situation is ''rapidly changing'' but no further restrictions would be announced this weekend.

''It is a very rapidly changing picture and we need to track it day by day. We have to review changes every seven days," Mark Drakeford said.

''Figures are rising in some parts of Wales and stabilising in others and makes it difficult to assess so why we need to make sure we're staying on top it.''