TORONTO – The Blue Jays were denied Canadian government approval to play in Toronto amid the coronavirus pandemic.
An official familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Saturday that the federal government has denied the request. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak prior to the announcement.
Municipal and provincial governments gave the team permission to play regular-season games at the Rogers Center and were awaiting approval from the Canadian federal government.
MLB needed an exemption from the requirement that anyone entering Canada for non-essential reasons must self-isolate for 14 days. The border between the United States and Canada remains closed to non-essential travel until at least August 21.
Allowing games in Toronto would have meant frequent trips to and from the US, where COVID-19 cases are emerging. Canada has flattened the epidemic curve.
The NHL received a waiver for its season restart, but that was a much simpler case because games are restricted to two centers: Edmonton and Toronto.
The Blue Jays are slated to start the season on July 24 at Tampa Bay. Their first game was set for five days later against Washington.
The Blue Jays received a waiver for the summer camp, during which the players agreed to isolate themselves at the hotel attached to the Rogers Center and create a quarantine environment. Players cannot leave the stadium or hotel, and violators face fines of up to $ 750,000 Canadians ($ 551,000 US) and up to six months in jail.
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