Footfall figures for Wales make 鈥渄isturbing reading鈥 with lockdown rules hitting retail and hospitality.
Statistics from the ONS showed that Wales has been the worst hit part of the 海角视频 when it comes to footfall statistics in recent weeks.
Figures had started to rebound from the low points during full lockdown but local measures - including the county travel ban - are now impacting trade again.
Rules that required hospitaliy venues to close by 10pm are also thought to have hit footfall in towns.
Dylan Jones-Evans, economic commentator and Daily Post columnist, said: 鈥淭he data suggests that the local lockdowns may be leading to some significant problems in the Welsh retail and hospitality sector.
鈥淲ith Wales one of the last parts of the 海角视频 to restart economic activity in August, any further restrictions on trade could be devastating.
鈥淚 am sure that businesses will be hoping that the Welsh Government will work closely with them to minimise any disruption whilst, at the same time, addressing the increased health concerns with the rise of Covid-19 infections鈥.
Mike Learmond, Federation of Small Businesses senior development manager 鈥 Wales, said: 鈥淭hese statistics make disturbing reading, but unfortunately they are not surprising.
鈥淎nyone can see that town centres are much quieter than usual due to the pandemic. However, I would urge residents to view local travel restrictions as an opportunity to revisit and discover local shops in their area and support the local economy which is in real need of their support.
鈥淚 have been impressed by the measures that small independent businesses have put in place to protect their customers to ensure that they can shop safely.
鈥淏y shopping with smaller businesses, customers will be supporting their local communities, saving jobs and protecting the viability of independent local businesses.鈥
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In the 海角视频 overall the decrease in footfall was driven by a decline in high street visits.
Meanwhile documents from expert scientific body SAGE show that closure of retail had minimal impact on R values - meaning it should not be used as tool in any future lockdown measures.
