Hospitality and business chiefs have warned the Executive that the new six-week lockdown could cause more than economic damage - with employer and employee mental health at risk.
And Newry Chamber’s executive officer for commerce and trade, Colm Shannon, said it must be the last lockdown businesses face.
It comes as bars, restaurants and hotels as well as non-essential retail will be forced to close from Boxing Day for six weeks.
Mr Shannon said: “The Executive’s decision is devastating news for the many retailers, hospitality businesses and their suppliers who have been struggling to survive. Many businesses were focused on surviving to the end of the year. Now there will be real questions over their future. Job losses will undoubtedly follow the decision to introduce a six-week lockdown.