The Toronto Blue Jays will have to find a new place to play home games this season.
Despite getting approval from the City of Toronto and the province, the federal government isn’t giving the team permission to play at the Rogers Centre.
Since the Jays are the only MLB team located north of the border, players and staff needed an exemption from mandatory two-week quarantines that would be required any time they crossed over.
Allowing home games in Toronto was deemed too risky, especially since the Canada-U.S. border is closed to all non-essential travel until at least August.
The NHL has been given an exemption, however it is a less complicated situation.
This season, all NHL games will be played in two ‘hub cities,’ both of which are in Canada.
The Jays were also given an exemption during summer camp, though there were strict restrictions on player movement and a ‘quarantine-like’ environment at the hotel attached to the Rogers Centre.
The Jays are currently scheduled to start their season July 24 in Tampa Bay, with their ‘home’ opener set for five days later.
