MLSE requiring vaccination or negative COVID-19 test at Raptors games

After an up-and-down season spent in their temporary home in Tampa due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Toronto Raptors appear on track to make a return to Scotiabank Arena this season due to the increased vaccination rates across both Canada and the United States. Ownership is still devising a plan to make sure everyone can attend games safely.

Considering that the Blue Jays and Toronto FC have already started to play games at home, that springs hope that the Raptors should be able to return to their home digs in a somewhat timely fashion.

Of course, considering the current climate, the Raptors should exercise a degree of caution when it comes to welcoming fans back despite the fact that it looks like everyone is getting their shots. Some new guidelines were handed down from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to make games a safer place for everyone.

MLSE confirmed that all Raptors fans who want to attend a game in Toronto must show proof of either vaccination against COVID-19 or proof of a negative COVID-19 test. This is not dissimilar to what the Blue Jays are enforcing. The last thing that the Raptors want is to be a hotspot that leads to an increase in cases across the province.

The Toronto Raptors want fans to be safe at home games.

The lack of a home-court advantage did a major number on Toronto’s success last year, as they lost more home games in 2020-21 than they did in the past two seasons combined! Hopefully, with a vaccinated crowd in the stands, it sounds like the Raptors can once again enjoy one of the best advantages in the game.

“MLSE is proud to serve as a central gathering place in Toronto and recognizes its responsibility to provide attendees with a safe and secure environment,” MLSE said in a statement. 

“We believe these health and safety protocols are the key to allowing our communities and businesses to reopen safely, to permit full capacity events, and to protect against further lockdowns.”

Even with the vaccination rates rising, playing indoors with thousands of people isn’t an ideal situation. MLS is doing everything that it can to ensure fans have security and peace of mind when they go to a game.

The best way that you can help the Raptors create an environment in which these regulations disappear is to get your shot, which will make an impact on the pandemic. Once the number of cases starts to subside again, fans can pack the arena to the brim and get back to making Scotiabank one of the more hostile environments for visitors.