The introduction of Level 5 restrictions has been greeted with dismay by many small business owners, a sector which will see closures across the country when the tighter rules kick in from Wednesday night.
Closing non-essential retail outlets and services for six weeks will mean darkness falls on many shops and other premises until the beginning of December, and some will fear they won't be in a position to re-open by then after long periods of closure already this year.
At Lisduggan Shopping Centre on the western side of Waterford city today, the mood was one of resignation mixed with worry. The shutters are already down on some of the centre’s berths following challenging times for business and more are set to go down tomorrow. "The