Blue Jays to require proof of vaccination or negative COVID test from fans 12 and over

The Toronto Blue Jays say those wishing to enter Rogers Centre will be required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test starting Sept. 13.

The Blue Jays announced the change to their health and safety protocols Monday in advance of releasing tickets for theirlast batch of home games later in the week.

Fans aged 12 and over and all staff will be required to follow the new protocols. Fans aged 11 and younger are not required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result when accompanied by a parent or guardian that meets the entry requirements.

After being based in the United States for the entire 2020 season and the first three months of 2021 after the global pandemic resulted inrestrictions at the Canada-U.S. border, the Blue Jays returned to Rogers Centre on July 30.

Toronto has 10 home games remaining until the new protocols kick in, starting Monday with the opening game of a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox.

The new requirements will begin when theJays start a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sept. 13.

The additional protocols will be enforced along with existing measures, including mandatory face coverings for fans aged two and older except when actively eating or drinking in designated seats or physically distanced areas.

The Blue Jays' announcement comes almost a week after Toronto-based Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns the NHL's Maple Leafs, the NBA's Raptors, the CFL's Argonauts and Toronto FC of Major League Soccer among other teams, said it would require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 tests for entry into its facilities. Those protocols also come into effect in mid-September.