(Buffalo, NY) The Toronto Blue Jays are increasing capacity at Buffalo’s Sahlen Field to 80 per cent for games beginning June 24 through to July 21, the club announced Monday.

The team worked with local officials, including New York’s department of health, to safely open additional vaccinated seating sections in the 100L lower bowl.

In total, 95 per cent of the seating will be dedicated to fully vaccinated fans with five per cent that is physically distanced.

Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reported last week that the Blue Jays are waiting for the easing of restrictions on non-essential travel between Canada and the United States, rather than focusing their attention on trying to get an exemption, as a way back to the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

However, on Sunday, the federal government announced it would issue a travel exemption to allow the winner of the NHL’s all-Canadian North Division and an American counterpart to cross the border during the third and final rounds of the playoffs.

The decision could be a reason for optimism for other leagues and teams, like the Blue Jays, seeking to normalize cross-border play and competition.