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TORONTO – The Blue Jays are “finally coming home” after securing Canadian government approval on Friday for an exemption from border restrictions that would allow them to play in Canada later this month.
The Blue Jays have asked the federal government to allow them to play at the Rogers Center starting July 30, and they got their approval on Friday.
“After almost two years of absence, the Toronto Blue Jays are finally returning to Canada on July 30,” the team said in a statement. “The club has secured a national interest exemption from the federal government that allows Major League Baseball games to be played at the Rogers Center, with strong health and safety protocols in place.”
The Blue Jays played home games during the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo, New York, and started that season in Dunedin, Fla., Before moving to Buffalo. The Canadian government has not allowed the team to play in Toronto due to the risk of the spread of COVID-19, citing frequent travel required to the United States during a baseball season.
Nothing better than being at home.
7.30.21 #WeAreBlueJays pic.twitter.com/DI90MaHaRO– Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 16, 2021
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said the decision was made in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada, with the approval of provincial and municipal public health officials.
Mendicino said the plan includes significant limitations for unvaccinated people, “who will have to undergo a modified quarantine, will not be allowed to go anywhere other than the hotel and stadium, and will have no interaction with the general public.” .
He said there would also be a designated compliance officer for each team.
“Anyone who violates these strict conditions will have their exemptions revoked and may also be liable to fines or prosecution under the Quarantine Act,” he said.
The Canada-U.S. Border remains closed to non-essential travel, although Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said this week those restrictions could end in mid-August.
Major League Baseball requires an exemption for unvaccinated players and team personnel to play games in Canada. As of this month, fully vaccinated players who have a valid work permit are no longer required to complete a 14-day quarantine upon entering Canada, but some teams have players who are not vaccinated. A quarantine exemption and related protocols must be approved.
Talks between the Blue Jays and the federal government accelerated over the past day.
The team described Friday as a breaking point, noting that the club have a long stay at home from July 30 which accounts for more than 25% of the games remaining at a crucial point in the competition. The Blue Jays came in tied for third in LA East on Friday.
They need a deadline to move what they need from Buffalo and prepare for Toronto operations, including ticket sales, although the team has already started preparations at the Rogers Center, according to two officials from the ‘team who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Toronto last played at the 49,000-seat Rogers Center on September 29, 2019, an 8-3 victory over Tampa Bay.
Blue Jays ace Hyun Jin Ryu signed with the team ahead of the 2020 season and is yet to start a game in Toronto.
The club noted in a press release this week that MLB has high vaccination rates, with more than 85% of players and staff fully vaccinated. The club said vaccinated players and staff from home and visiting teams will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, with no quarantine requirement, and those fully vaccinated will be tested weekly.
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