The Toronto Blue Jays' return to their home ballpark is "trending in a very good direction," Canada's deputy chief public health officer says.

The Blue Jays have played their home games this season in Dunedin, Florida, and Buffalo, New York, because the U.S.-Canada border remains closed to nonessential travel.

Major League Baseball needs an exemption for games to be played in Canada because not all players and team staff have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The team has applied for an exemption, and the health official, Dr. Howard Njoo, said there has been "a lot of good back-and-forth" between the Blue Jays and the government over the application.