The Canadian federal government has granted a travel exemption for the final two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which will allow NHL teams to cross the Canada-United States border without having to quarantine.
As first reported by CBC News, Marco Mendicino, Canada’s immigration minister, issued a “national interest” exemption on Sunday that will facilitate the cross-border travel and outlined the enhanced public health measures all players and club personnel will be subject to.
Team members will travel, both in and out of the country, using private planes and will be tested for COVID-19 pre- and-post arrival in addition to daily testing.
Throughout playoff rounds that require cross-border travel, players will live in a modified quarantine bubble that includes the team hotel and the arena when in Canada.
The measures mandate that there will be no sharing of facilities between players and the general public, and players must severely limit their time interacted with the public in both Canada and the United States.
The exemption, which would mark the first time regular cross-border travel has occurred in the NHL during the COVID-19 pandemic, means that either the Montreal Canadiens or Winnipeg Jets — whichever wins the North Division — will be able to meet their United States opponents in the semifinals and, should they advance, the Cup Final as well.
