The Blue Jays are seeking an exemption from the travel restrictions imposed by the Canadian government so that the team can play home games at the Rogers Center in Toronto.
A team spokesman informed CNN of the situation.
The Blue Jays had previously received an exemption that allowed the team to hold summer training in Toronto by agreeing that all players remain in a “modified cohort quarantine” that included the Rogers Center and an adjacent hotel. This essentially eliminated the team’s exposure to the public.
However, this exception only applied to summer training. The team is working with the Canadian authorities on a new exemption under a similar quarantine system that would apply to the regular MLB season. The Blue Jays expect a government decision on the fate of the team by the weekend.
Under the Canadian Quarantine Act, anyone entering the United States from Canada is subject to a strict 14-day quarantine. Meetings of more than 10 people are also prohibited in the city of Toronto. The Blue Jays require city, provincial, and federal government permission to bypass these rules in order to play at Rogers Center.
The Blue Jays’ first choice is to play their home games in Toronto. If the Canadian authorities don’t allow it, the team will consider using their Triple-A home in Buffalo, New York, or their spring training base in Dunedin, Florida.
A team spokesman informs CNN that the team prefers the Buffalo location due to the increasing number of coronavirus cases in Florida.
On Tuesday, Canada’s deputy chief public health officer, Dr. Howard Njoo said he was skeptical of any plan that would allow the Blue Jays and other MLB teams to travel back and forth between Toronto and the United States, where the corona virus is on the rise. completely different ball game “than the summer training plan.
While the Blue Jays are waiting for a decision from the Canadian authorities, the team is preparing for exhibition games against the Red Sox in Boston on July 21 and 22.
If the team has not received a decision from the Canadian government by then, they will have to make their own decision about a location outside of Toronto before they can play these games, the spokesman said.
Toronto’s first regular season game is scheduled for July 24 in Florida against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Blue Jays home opener is scheduled for July 29 against the Washington Nationals.
Major League Baseball is planning a regular season with 60 games and a normal playoff format.
CNN’s Paula Newton contributed to this report.
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