New Toronto Blue Jays infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield says he is now vaccinated and will travel with the team to Toronto next Thursday.
Merrifield, acquired by the Blue Jays in a deal with the Kansas City Royals prior to the trade deadline on Tuesday, met his new team and talked to reporters on Thursday before Toronto opened a series in Minnesota against the Twins.
When Kansas City came to Toronto from July 14-17, Merrifield was one of 10 players who did not make the trip, barred from travelling to Canada due to restrictions put in place that mandate cross-border travellers be vaccinated to enter the country. America has a similar policy for non-residents, though it has not impacted the Blue Jays, as all their 2022 players had received the requisite COVID-19 vaccine before the deadline.
In order for Merrifield to satisfy the country’s requirements as a fully vaccinated traveller, he must have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine accepted for travel, according to the government of Canada’s most recent advisory, or at least one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Whichever vaccination regimen is opted for, a person must have received their second dose — or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine — at least 14 calendar days before entering Canada. This timing requirement only applies to a person’s second dose, not their third or fourth doses.