Just 11 days before the Toronto Blue Jays were scheduled to play their first regular-season home game of the year at Rogers Centre, the team found out that it will not be allowed to play games in Toronto, or anywhere else in Canada, per a government ruling.
The Blue Jays were seeking an exemption from the federal government after already having been cleared by Toronto officials, according to a report from the AP, but have been denied. In a statement, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said that the health risk posed by constant international travel across the border is too high to allow the Blue Jays to play and host teams in Toronto. The Canadian border is currently closed for all non-essential travel.
Via the AP:
“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.”
According to the Toronto Star, the team will play its home games in either Buffalo, New York, or Dunedin, Florida, at its spring training facility. The Jays’ Class AAA affiliate, the Bisons, play in Buffalo.
