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Canada's Immigration Ministry issued a
statement saying the "national interest" exemption was granted
after a review by public health officials.
"This decision was made in conjunction with the Public Health
Agency of Canada, with the approval of provincial and municipal
public health officials, including Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and
Alberta," read the statement.
"The NHL’s COVID Playoff Protocol will permit cross-border
travel that is safeguarded by strict quarantining, a bubble,
daily testing and a comprehensive protocol that will apply to
all travelling NHL players and personnel."
Under the conditions laid out in the exemption, teams can only
travel in and out of the country on private planes.
In Canada players will live in a modified bubble that will be
limited to the team hotel and arena, and there will be no
contact with the public.
Players will be tested daily as well as before they board planes
and when they land.
The exemption will allow the winner of the NHL's all-Canadian
North division between the Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets
to play in the U.S. and host U.S. based opponents for the final
two rounds.
The Canadiens currently lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.
Both Montreal and Winnipeg have recently opened their arenas to
a limited number of fans as COVID-19 numbers continue to drop
across the country.
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto. Editing by Toby Davis)
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