Under new rules, from midnight Wednesday night beauty parlours are no longer allowed to be open and hairdressers are allowed to operate but with strict social distancing and a limit of 30 minutes for appointment times.

The changes have hit local business owners hard.

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Rosa Leopardo Hair Design owner Sophie Smyth said 90 per cent of her clientele had colours done, but with the time restrictions these would no longer go ahead.

"It'll just be basic cuts, or just your shampoo and blow dry. Men's cuts will be fine, they're always under 30 minutes," Ms Smyth said.

"We're going to be very limited but I guess we're still one of the lucky ones to still be open but we're not sure for how much longer."

Ms Smyth said she had been busy with colour appointments before the new rules kicked in.

"We've got all our safety precautions in place with distancing and cleanliness but we're just trying to do everything we can," she said.

"It's scary times for everyone really, not just us."

Blush & Bloom Skin and Beauty owner Caity Byrnes says she has "mixed emotions" having to close her new business' doors. She only started her business at the end of 2019.

"It's best for everybody's health but it is very heartbreaking at the same time," Mrs Byrnes told the Namoi Valley Independent.

"I've given it a red hot crack and I'll be back as soon as they let me but I feel a little robbed of time."

She's now selling a lot of her products online via www.blush-bloombeauty.com/shop.

"If anyone wants to order any skincare it's all available online and I'm happy to drop it at their houses but other than that sit tight," Mrs Byrnes said.

Sally-Anne Hall of Simpatico Massage Therapies made the tough decision to temporarily close on Monday.

"I had done the government training for infection control and ... had been wiping down hard surfaces, washing towels at 95 degrees and washing hands for 60 seconds, but I made the decision on Monday evening to postpone my massage treatments for the meantime for the health and safety of all my clients," Ms Hall said.

"It's a hands-on treatment in a closed room, so I don't know what the future holds but I'm really grateful for my clients.

"They've supported me this far and when it's all finished and over and done with and we return to normal life, I look forward to helping them again, helping them to look after their bodies."

Government restrictions have made changes to the following:

Banned or closed

Restricted

Remaining open

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