Canadian government approves travel exemption for final two rounds of NHL Stanley Cup playoffs

The Canadian government has approved a travel exemption for the final two rounds of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs that will allow teams to cross the Canada-USA border without having to quarantine, according to the CBC.

NHL players and team personnel will enter and leave the country on private planes. Players and team personnel from the United States to Canada will undergo pre- and post-arrival COVID-19 testing in addition to daily coronavirus testing. 

Players will also live in a modified quarantine bubble that includes the team hotel and arena, and they must avoid interaction with the general public. 

All players will continue to abide by the NHL's health and safety protocols and other public health measures in Canada. 

The winner of the NHL's all-Canadian North Division will take on an opponent in the United States. It will mark the first time regular cross-border travel occurs in the NHL since the start of the pandemic. 

The Montreal Canadiens are currently leading the Winnipeg Jets 2-0 in the North Division final. The winner of that series will face one of three U.S. division winners in the league semifinals. 

The NHL had reportedly been discussing a plan for cross-border travel for a while.