Canadian Gov't Grounds Blue Jays Home Games Due to COVID-19 Concerns

The Government of Canada will not permit the Toronto Blue Jays to host home games at Rogers Centre this season despite earning approval from both the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario. The Canada-U.S. border has been closed to all but essential travel since March 21st and will remain so until at least August 21st. Those who do cross the border into Canada must self-quarantine for 14 days.

Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship stated:

However, unlike pre-season training, regular-season games would require repeated cross-border travel of Blue Jays players and staff, as well as opponent teams into and out of Canada. Of particular concern, the Toronto Blue Jays would be required to play in locations where the risk of virus transmission 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.

The Jays will most likely play their home games at their spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida. However, Jays players have indicated a strong preference to remain in Toronto due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in the Sunshine State. It is also possible the Jays could play their home games in Buffalo where their Triple-AAA affiliate is located.

MLB is in a much different situation than the NHL and NBA. When both leagues resume play on July 30th and 31st, respectively, they will be entering their playoffs. The NHL playoffs will be played in Toronto and Edmonton while the NBA playoffs will be played in Orlando although there remain concerns due to the aforementioned COVID spike in Florida. 

But MLB is just beginning its season and each home team will be playing in their home park (save for the Jays) although travel is confined within AL/NL East, AL/NL Central and AL/NL West cities. Still that leaves a lot of games to be played in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Arizona and California which have all seen significant increases in COVID-19 cases. 

If the Jays should end up playing their home games in Dunedin I wonder how many Jays will flock the coup for 2020.