The Toronto Blue Jays won’t be allowed to play any games in Canada due to the pandemic.
The federal government informed the team that while they will be allowed to enter the country for preseason training, they can’t cross the Canadian border to play regular season games.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marco Mendicino says he’s especially concerned that the Blue Jays would be required to play in locations in the United States where the risk of transmitting the virus remains high.
“Based on the best-available public health advice, we have concluded the cross-border travel required for MLB regular season play would not adequately protect Canadians’ health and safety. As a result, Canada will not be issuing a National Interest Exemption for the MLB’s regular season at this time,” says Mendicino.
The minister adds the government is open to allowing the team to play post-season games at home if there is less risk of the virus spreading at that time.
Spring training is scheduled to resume on Tuesday and Toronto opens the 2020 season this upcoming Friday, July 24 at the Rays.
The team says they will announce where their home location will be for the rest of the season once that is finalized.
#BlueJays Statement On 2020 Season Home: pic.twitter.com/lpXLapRHUD
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 18, 2020
