Blue Jays approved for training camp in Toronto

Baseball is back in Toronto — the training camp version, anyway.

The Blue Jays finally received federal government clearance to fly north this weekend. They’ll prepare for the 2020 Major League Baseball season at the Rogers Centre.

Players and staff are scheduled to board a pair of charter flights to Toronto over the next couple of days.

The Jays, who have had at least four players test positive for COVID-19, have stressed those players won’t travel until they test negative.

The Jays have yet to receive clearance to play their 30 home games at the downtown Toronto stadium, but club officials are confident they can finalize a safe plan to gain approval from government and health authorities, both provincially and federally.

As reported by Postmedia earlier this week, the Jays had backing from provincial and municipal authorities and were awaiting the final clearance from Ottawa.

That came Thursday, setting the wheels in motion to get camp underway.

As many as 60 players are expected to be at the Rogers Centre for initial workouts this weekend. Players will be housed and quarantined in the Marriott Hotel that’s attached to the Rogers Centre.

“The plan for hosting summer training camp in Toronto required government and public health approval at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels,” the Jays said in a statement.

“At its core, the plan necessitates players and club personnel to enter a closed environment at Rogers Centre, which is isolated from the general public.

“In collaboration with public health agencies, the Blue Jays have established comprehensive protocols to ensure the highest standards of health and safety are met prior to and during travel, and to create a cohort quarantine environment at Rogers Centre and the adjoining hotel.”

The Jays emphasized that the Rogers Centre remains their preferred location for home games. They have three weeks to gain permission.

TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Fla., remains the backup plan.