Canberra's retail and hospitality industries are split over the new mask mandate rule.
Masks are now mandatory in indoor retail and hospitality settings in the ACT for staff and customers. Masks are not required while sitting, eating or drinking in a hospitality setting.
Australian Hotels Association General Manager Anthony Brierley called the new rules "a slap in the face" for Canberra's pubs, clubs and bars.
"It's pretty frustrating, to be honest, that the ACT government has done this to us again in what's supposed to be the busiest week of the year for us," he said.
"We told the government last week that if they did this sort of thing, it would mean a 30 per cent hit to revenue for hospitality businesses for this week.
"[The government] has decided to do it anyway. It's just another slap in the face."
Mr Brierley said people wouldn't go to the pub or out nightclubbing because masks ruined the experience.
"If you've got a nightclub or a dancing venue, that's out straightaway because people don't want to be in a nightclub with a mask on, no matter how good his ventilation is," he said.
Co-owner of chicken shop Fricken in Braddon, Mo Saad, said he predicted an initial drop in business following the mandate.
He said last time a mask mandate was introduced, "in the initial days following, we did see a very obvious impact to the business, but it does balance out at the end once everyone gets comfortable and everyone wants to resume life".
"People's health is our number on priority, so if that's what needs to happen, then that's what needs to happen," he said.
"Health comes first."
Meanwhile, some Canberra retail businesses have welcomed the new rules.
Manager of fashion boutique Anna Thomas in Braddon Terry Kinninmont said it would help reassure customers and staff they were safe in the shop over the Christmas period.
"I think to protect our customers, and to protect my staff it's an excellent idea," she said.
"It offers an extra level of protection."
Ms Kinninmont said she had never felt unsafe working in retail in Canberra throughout the COVID pandemic, saying most people were vaccinated and conscious of checking in.
"I don't feel in any way at risk working in retail during this time. I was previously at David Jones for three years, I didn't ever feel at risk then [and] we have an awful lot of foot traffic there," she said.
Optician at optometry store EyeCandy, Lily Delov, said she sometimes felt uncomfortable when getting physically close to customers.
"I am worried sometimes, when I have to get closer to people. [I think] 'oh, are they carrying a virus or not?'"
She welcomed the mask mandate.
"It will make me feel more safe and also for the customers to be more safe ... [now] COVID-19 is slowly coming back to Canberra," Ms Delov said.
