Business owners in Monaghan have been left "heart-broken" by today's announcement that restaurants, pubs, hairdressers, beauticians, cinemas and galleries will all have to close from 3pm on Thursday.
Non-essential retail is allowed to stay open but January sales events must be deferred.
Siobhan McKee of Picasso Hair Salon in Castleblayney, questioned why non-essential retail can remain open when hairdressers cannot:
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Meanwhile, Eileen Gormley, owner of Eileen's Tea Room in the town, said the restrictions will be very tough on elderly people who use premises such as hers to socialise:
