Blue Jays granted exemption to play in Toronto starting July 30

The Blue Jays received an exemption from the federal government to return to Canada and play at the Rogers Centre in Toronto starting July 30.

"The plan contains significant measures to ensure the safety of players, personnel, and the public," Canadian Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said Friday in a statement. "This begins with pre- and post-arrival testing of everyone, and additional testing four times a week for unvaccinated individuals.

"It also includes significant limitations on unvaccinated individuals, who will have to undergo modified quarantine, not permitted to go anywhere but the hotel and stadium and have no interaction with the general public."

The Blue Jays welcome the Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, and Boston Red Sox for a 10-game homestand when they return to the Rogers Centre.

Ontario is currently in Stage 3 of its re-opening plan, which means up to 15,000 people can congregate outside for events. Team president Mark Shapiro confirmed Saturday that Rogers Centre can host 15,000 fans because it's an outdoor venue, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.

Shapiro also said the stadium's retractable roof will remain open unless it's raining, and there will still be pockets open for circulation when it's closed, per Hazel Mae of Sportsnet.

The club hasn't played in Toronto since September 2019. Canada's Quarantine Act, which requires anyone entering the country for nonessential reasons to self-isolate for 14 days, forced the team to play home games in Buffalo and Dunedin, Florida, during the shortened 2020 season and first four months of the 2021 campaign.

The border between Canada and United States remains closed for nonessential travel. However, fully vaccinated Canadians can now return to Canada without quarantining, and Americans with two jabs can travel between the two countries as early as mid-August.