The Blue Jays obtained permission from the Canadian government to return to Toronto

Toronto. The Toronto Blue Jays received approval from the Canadian government on Friday for a waiver of border restrictions, which would allow them to play in Canada later this month.

The Blue Jays had asked the federal government to allow them to play at the Rogers Center starting July 30 and wanted an answer earlier on Friday.

“After nearly two years away, the Toronto Blue Jays finally return to Canada as of July 30,” the team said in a statement.

“The federal government granted the club a National Interest Waiver that allows Major League Baseball games to be played at the Rogers Center, with robust health and safety protocols.”

The Blue Jays played their home games during the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo, New York, and began this season in Dunedin, Florida, before moving to Buffalo. The Canadian government did not allow the team to play in Toronto due to the risk of spreading COVID-19, citing frequent travel required in the United States during a baseball season.

“There’s nothing like your home,” the Blue Jays tweeted.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said the decision was made in conjunction with the Public Health Agency of Canada, and with the approval of provincial and municipal public health officials.

Mendicino said that 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 the stadium, and will not have interaction with the general public.”

He said there will also be a designated compliance officer for each team.

“Anyone who breaches these strict conditions will have their exemptions revoked and could also be subject to fines or prosecution under the Quarantine Law,” he said.

The U.S.-Canada border remains closed for nonessential 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 enter Canada. Starting this month, fully vaccinated players who have valid work permits are no longer required to complete a 14-day quarantine upon entering Canada, but some teams have players who are not vaccinated. You need to pass a quarantine waiver and protocols around that.

Talks between the Blue Jays and the federal government accelerated over the last day.

The team described Friday as a breaking point, noting that the long home stay that begins July 30 represents more than 25% of the remaining games at a crucial juncture in competitive terms. The Blue Jays started Friday tied for third in the AL East.

They require waiting time to move what they need from Buffalo and prepare for Toronto operations, including ticket sales, although the team has already begun preparations at the Rogers Center, according to two team officials who spoke on the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak in public.

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 before the 2020 season and has yet to pitch a game in Toronto.