Some Nova Scotians feeling frustrated after province extends COVID-19 restrictions for 2 weeks
Ardon Mofford owns Governor's Pub & Eatery in downtown Sydney, N.S. and describes business as bleak.
“"We're on life support right now," he said.
Mofford says the COVID-19 Omicron wave has pushed customers away, and it is affecting his bottom-line.
“I mean, every month that passes and the restrictions are still in place, it's going to affect our peak season,” said Mofford.
Nova Scotia has extended its current COVID-19 restrictions until Feb. 14, citing high hospitalizations as one of the main reasons.
It's a decision not everyone is on board with.
“The logic is you send children back to school, why can't we do the same for sports venues,” said hockey parent, Scott Purdie.
Arenas across the province remain relatively empty.
Games and competitions are on hold under current public health guidelines, and will remain that way until restrictions are eased.
“You are looking at a very tight deadline just to get the playoffs in, especially if there's any inclement weather. At this point now, the regular season is wiped out,” said Purdie.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says sports teams could be allowed to resume full practices with their entire teams Feb. 7, with games going ahead a week later.
A goal set by the province, but not a firm plan.
“It's been a tough three years and having started just three years ago and not having played a full season in Halifax yet,” said Halifax Thunderbirds President and CEO, John Catalano.
The Halifax Thunderbirds' appeal to the province to play their two games this month was denied.
According to Catalano, scheduling has become a logistical nightmare.
“We are pretty close to being at a point where we're going to have to make some decisions,” he said.
Back in Sydney, Wesley Colford says it will be months before people are back inside the Highland Arts Theatre.
“This is really the continuation of the anxiety we felt in December when we realized how bad this new wave was,” said Colford.
A full list of current public health restrictions can be found on the government's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada sending more artillery to Ukraine, 'crucial' to fight against Russia: Anand
Canada is sending an additional 20,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine for the Ukrainian military to use in its ongoing defence against the Russians. This ammunition—155mm calibre, as well as fuses and charge bags—is being donated, but comes at a cost of $98 million, according to the federal government.

Power outages persist across Ontario and Quebec as death toll rises
Power outages caused by the powerful and deadly storm that swept across Ontario and Quebec on Saturday are stretching into another day, as hydro providers warned customers they could be waiting even longer for service to be fully restored.
Experts hope 'ring vaccination' will contain monkeypox outbreaks
An infectious disease expert believes monkeypox outbreaks can be contained by using a strategy called 'ring vaccination' – which means vaccinating all the close contacts of an infected person.
Baby formula: Health Canada monitoring 'potential' sunflower oil shortage
Health Canada says it is preparing for the possibility that a shortage of sunflower oil could further strain baby formula supplies in Canada.
11 killed in shooting attacks on 2 bars in Mexico
Eleven people, eight of them women, were killed in simultaneous shooting attacks on two bars in north-central Mexico, authorities said Tuesday.
Satellite images appear to show Russian ships loading up with Ukrainian grain in Crimea
Russia's theft of Ukrainian grain appears to be ramping up as it continues its war on the country, according to new satellite photos of the Crimean port of Sevastopol.
Mapping program Mounties struggled to open could have helped contain N.S. mass killer
A report looking into a mapping program the RCMP had access to -- but couldn't open -- during the 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia concludes it could have helped contain the killer's rampage.
Amber Heard rests case in civil suit without calling Depp
Actor Amber Heard rested her case Tuesday in the civil suit between her and ex-husband Johnny Depp without calling Depp to the stand.
200 bodies found in Mariupol as war rages in Ukraine's east
Workers digging through the rubble of an apartment building in Mariupol found 200 bodies in the basement, Ukrainian authorities said Tuesday, as more horrors come to light in the ruined city that has seen some of the worst suffering of the 3-month-old war.