Toronto Blue Jays to return to Rogers Centre by month's end
The Toronto Blue Jays announced Friday that they will return to Rogers Centre starting July 30.
"After nearly two years away, the Toronto Blue Jays are finally coming home to Canada beginning July 30," a release issued by the team said.
"The club was granted a National Interest Exemption by the federal government that allows Major League Baseball games to be played at Rogers Centre, with robust health and safety protocols in place."
"Following a careful review by public health officials at every level of government, a National Interest Exemption has been approved that will permit the Toronto Blue Jays to return to Toronto and play home games at the Rogers Centre," Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said in a statement.
"This decision was made in conjunction with the Public Health Agency of Canada, with the approval of provincial and municipal public health officials."
Mendicino added that the plan includes pre- and post-arrival testing of everyone crossing the border, along with additional testing four times a week for unvaccinated individuals.
The team said unvaccinated and partially vaccinated people on both home and visiting teams will only be permitted to leave their residence to participate in baseball activities at Rogers Centre for the duration of their first 14 days in Canada.
The Blue Jays haven't played at Rogers Centre since September 2019. They played home games during the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo and started this season in Dunedin, Florida before returning to Buffalo.
"First and foremost, the Blue Jays wish to thank Canadians for their unprecedented public health efforts and support for the team," the release said.
"Without you, Blue Jays baseball would not be coming home this summer."
The club says that 2021 and 2022 season ticket holders will receive communication directly shortly.
With files from The Associated Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire doubles in size as 3,000-plus ordered to evacuate
The wildfire that sparked Friday and caused evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people in Fort Nelson, B.C., and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has grown to nearly 1,700 hectares in size, according to a Saturday morning update from the BC Wildfire Service.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.