Blue Jays prepare to boost capacity at Rogers Centre but all fans must be fully vaccinated
The Blue Jays are planning to expand ballpark capacity beyond 15,000 fans for the last six home games of the season and now say all fans over the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated to enter the Rogers Centre.
The team made the announcement in a news release issued Thursday morning.
“The Blue Jays are in the final days of a heated postseason Wild Card race and need fan support more than ever to create the home field advantage that our fans and team deserve down the stretch,” the statement read.
“The club has been working closely with the Premier’s office, the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and Minister MacLeod’s office on increasing ballpark capacity safety in line with all public health protocols.”
The Blue Jays have said additional tickets will be sold for the final six home games but have not confirmed exactly how many fans they are preparing to allow inside.
The team told CTV News Toronto on Thursday that some seats have been opened on the 500 level for the last six games, with tickets starting at $15.
“In the event that government regulations do not allow for us to expand Rogers Centre capacity beyond 15,000 fans, impacted ticket purchasers will be directly notified of their ticket cancellation and issued a refund via their original method of payment,” the statement continued.
Unvaccinated fans were previously allowed to enter the stadium if they could provide a negative COVID-19 test ahead of the game but the Blue Jays now say all fans must be fully vaccinated.
“The Blue Jays are adhering to all public health guidelines and in addition, are requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for all fans aged 12 and older entering Roger Centre,” the statement read.
“A negative COVID-19 test will no longer be accepted except for individuals with a doctor’s note indicating they cannot receive the vaccine due to medical exemptions.”
The club says they have communicated the change to all fans and unvaccinated ticket-holders who purchased seats for future games can either transfer their ticket to a vaccinated person or request a refund.
The new policy comes one day after the province launched its vaccine certificate program, requiring people 12 and older to show proof of vaccination to enter indoor spaces at many non-essential businesses, including gyms, movie theatres, and restaurants.
Last week, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) said it was preparing for a “return to full capacity” at MLSE venues, including Scotiabank Arena.
“We believe we are able to create the safest experience possible and are planning for a return to full capacity in 2021,” a statement released by MLSE read.
“Our ticketing rollout allows for flexibility in the coming weeks to meet the process required to achieve that. We expect more direction to be available to us in the coming days.”
Under the current provincial guidelines, indoor sports and recreational facilities can only host up to 1,000 spectators, well below the 20,000 seats available inside Scotiabank Arena.
Outdoor sports venues, including the Rogers Centre and BMO Field, were given the green light earlier this summer to host up to 15,000 fans per game.
Provincial health officials have not ruled out expanding capacity limits in spaces where vaccination is mandatory but have provided few details about when that could happen.
“I would think that the government should assess that if everyone in that environment is immunized then that's a very low risk event,” Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s top public health doctor, said on Aug. 24 when asked about the possibility of lifting capacity restrictions.
“So I would hope that the government will make a decision to enable them to move forward even if we have other restrictions in place.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health told CTV News Toronto Thursday that Moore will address any changes to capacity limits in settings with vaccination requirements "once they are finalized and approved by cabinet."
-With files from CTV News Toronto's Ashley Legassic
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports betters, the league says.
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police
Nine people have been arrested in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International airport last year, Peel Regional Police said Wednesday.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
MPs summon ArriveCan contractor to the House to be admonished in rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archaeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.
Some millennials say federal budget was 'a letdown' amid cost of living struggles
It’s a picture-perfect scene: Adam and Maria Reynolds are playing with their daughters inside their Port Coquitlam, B.C. home. Watching them together, you might not realize the Reynolds household is stretched to its limit.