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The Blue Jays have announced that they have received a national interest exemption from the Canadian government to return in time for their July 30 residency. Shi Davidi of Sportsnet (Twitter link) reported the news shortly before the official announcement.
The Jays will host the Royals at Rogers Center in two weeks in the first game at their home baseball stadium in nearly two full calendar years. Border closures resulting from COVID-19 have prevented the Jays from returning home in one of the past two seasons. They played the 2020 Abridged Campaign in Buffalo, the home of their Triple-A affiliate. They started this season hosting games at their spring training complex in Dunedin before moving to Buffalo in early June.
July 30 will mark one of the most important dates in recent Jays history. After their three games against the Royals this weekend, Toronto will host a playoff against the Indians, Red Sox and Angels until mid-August. Their final “homestand” in Buffalo – this weekend against the Rangers and early next week with the Red Sox – begins tonight before a seven-game road trip.
It remains to be seen whether the plan will require some sort of ‘bubble’ format for Jays players and visiting clubs who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19. It stands to reason that more details will become clear when the official announcement of the Canadian government approval is given.
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