The Toronto Blue Jays have actually been barred from playing games in Canada for the 2020 MLB season over fear of spreading the coronavirus. The season, which was delayed due to the pandemic, is arranged to begin at the end of July.
” Based on the best-available public health advice, we have concluded the cross-border travel required for MLB routine season play would not sufficiently secure Canadians health and wellness,” Canadas Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship stated Saturday in a declaration. “As a result, Canada will not be releasing a National Interest Exemption for the MLBs regular season at this time.”
The team would have needed an exemption from the guideline needing any person entering the country to self-isolate for two weeks. Heaven Jays had previously been given an exemption for preseason training, which needed them to conduct all group activities at the Rogers Centre, where they usually play their house games, and the “nearby centers.”
” However, unlike preseason training, regular season video games would need repetitive cross-border travel of Blue Jays gamers and personnel, along with challenger groups into and out of Canada,” the minister noted in his statement. “Of specific issue, the Toronto Blue Jays would be required to play in areas where the danger of infection transmission remains high.”
The Blue Jays said in a statement they are “in the process of settling the very best home location for the rest of the 2020 season.”
TORONTO, ON – JULY 09: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. # 27 of the Toronto Blue Jays smiles in the dugout during an intrasquad video game at Rogers Centre on July 9, 2020 in Toronto, Canada.
Mark Blinch/ Getty Images
The city of Toronto had formerly approved strategies to permit heaven Jays to play games at the Rogers Centre, however that was overruled by Saturdays decision by the Canadian government.
” I completely respect this choice and thank the Government of Canada for working with the province and city on this concern,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said Saturday.
TORONTO, ON – JULY 09: Ruben Tejada # 33 of the Toronto Blue Jays stands at shortstop throughout an intrasquad game at Rogers Centre on July 9, 2020 in Toronto, Canada.
Mark Blinch/ Getty Images
If heaven Jays were to make it to the postseason, the Canadian government stated the decision could be reversed “ought to the danger of virus transmission decrease.”
The Blue Jays are set up to start the season at Tampa Bay on July 24. Their house opener is slated for July 29 versus the Washington Nationals. A number of gamers have actually selected to pull out of the planned 60-game season over health concerns for both themselves and their households.
The Canada-U.S. border stays closed to non-essential travel till at least August 21.
The Blue Jays are set up to begin the season at Tampa Bay on July 24. Their house opener is slated for July 29 versus the Washington Nationals. A number of gamers have actually selected to decide out of the prepared 60-game season over health issues for both themselves and their families.
