24News.ca

The hockey league's gradual return in Canada has brought a sigh of relief not only to sports fans but also to bar owners. There is an NHL bubble city in both Toronto and Edmond, where the NHL is expected to return. These special zones are used to protect the participants from the pandemic.

The league stakeholders signed an agreement that allowed the return of the league. It is logical to bring the hubs to Canada, where the coronavirus is under control. The agreement also allowed players who were not comfortable participating in the league under the current circumstances to opt-out at no penalty.

In the plan, clubs from the Eastern Conference will report to Toronto, whereas those from the Western Conference report to Edmonton. The new arrangement has also scheduled Edmonton to host the conference finals and Stanley Cup.

When players arrive in the bubble cities, they're not allowed to interact with the general public. The "bubbles" maintain strict health protocols that include daily testing and team quarantine in hotels and unoccupied arenas. 

Business experts suggested that the two hubs would not have a significant effect on the local economies. The impact will be minimal due to the reserved nature of the centers. However, they claim that it is suitable for the bigger picture since the league's return will bring a sense of things getting back to normal among the general public. The centers will also offer few job and business opportunities to locals. 

Canadian bars and hotels were among the businesses hit hard by the pandemic. The so-called "new normal" of social distancing and minimal physical contact meant that they had to close down. Furthermore, the suspension of sports activities meant that there were no games to show on their big screens. The bar owners have incurred huge losses during this period, requiring up to a year to recover. 

The announcement of the return of the league must have been received with joy by the bar owners. When the league started, some got a chance to serve their clients. In the opening game, Jay played against Tampa Bay Rays bringing fans to the bars to cheer their teams. Some of the bars were full-house throughout as customers welcomed sports back. 

The bars finally got the opportunity to recover what they had lost in the past four months. Even though customers were returning to their favorite bars, there was the social distancing issue. This health restriction means that bars cannot operate at full capacity. They are forced to have new table arrangements that observe the set health protocols. 

However, the hoteliers and bar owners are optimistic that the league's return is a sign of better times ahead. But they are aware that the NHL will be played in moderation or a short time, which might not be sufficient for survival. 

As they enjoy the moment, they have a great responsibility of monitoring their customers. As the games continue, more customers will come, and they have to ensure they obey health protocols. But at the moment, fans and bar owners are happy that hockey is back!