BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein participated in a video conference with several MLB and Rich Baseball Operations officials to discuss the protocols and safety measures for all the Toronto Blue Jays’ games that will be played in Buffalo.
The discussion included information on the actions that will be taken by teams for the duration of their stay in Buffalo, which includes daily testing.
A release from Erie County officials details some of the guidelines visiting teams will follow.
"It was confirmed by MLB representatives that players, coaches, and all other visiting team staff will not be allowed to leave their hotel except to go by bus to Sahlen Field or the airport, and, with the exception of team congregate dining purposes within the hotel, may not leave their hotel rooms. It was also confirmed that all teams traveling from a state with significant rates of COVID-19 transmission, will be subject to the New York State Department of Health 'Interim Guidance for Professional Sports Teams Traveling Between States with Significant Community Spread of COVID-19 and New York State' issued on June 28, 2020, including the Blue Jays or any other team, including New York based teams such as the New York Yankees and New York Mets, traveling to Buffalo from another state."
It was also agreed to that the MLB would follow any additional health and safety orders issued by the ECDOH and the county executive's office through an emergency executive order. The MLB will also provide any information to the ECDOH it may need to ensure the safety of the general public.
“I thank the representatives from Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays, Rich Products and the Buffalo Bisons for discussing with us today their plans for playing games at Sahlen Field and off-field operations to ensure the health and safety of not only their teams but our public, said Poloncarz. "Based on our conversation and the protocols put in place, it is apparent to me MLB is taking extremely serious the safety of all, especially since the COVID-19 outbreak occurred with the Miami Marlins. They sincerely heard our concerns and agreed to every request we made, including adherence by all teams to my future issuance of an executive order regarding team travel and hotel stays to and from our region and working with the Health Department to ensure the safety of all.”
