COVID-19 and the 2022 Bingham Cup

The global COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the 2020 edition of the Bingham Cup, and its effects are still present all around the world, including in Canada. As the situation is constantly evolving, the Bingham 2022 Ottawa organizing committee will strive to provide up-to-date information on the impact covid-19-related rules and regulations will have upon the tournament and its participants.

What covid-related restrictions does Canada apply regarding international travel?

Canadian citizens or permanent residents (PRs) are allowed to re-enter Canada any time they wish, provided they meet regular entry requirements e.g. their travel documents are current, etc.; those entry requirements currently include presenting negative results to one of a handful of specific covid-19 tests (this does not include antigen tests) performed within 72hrs of the departure time of the first scheduled flight (if traveling by air) or of arriving at a point of entry (if traveling by land). Vaccinated Canadians and PRs entering Canada do not need to quarantine after entry. Unvaccinated Canadians and PRs who present a negative test and are asymptomatic are allowed to enter Canada, but must quarantine themselves for 14 days and follow other prophylactic measures after entry.

Other foreign nationals are currently allowed to enter Canada only if they have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to their entry with vaccines which have been approved for use by Canadian regulatory authorities. Currently this list includes the vaccines developed by the following suppliers:

  • Pfizer-BioNTech;
  • Moderna;
  • AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD;
  • Janssen/Johnson & Johnson.

These vaccines can have been combined in any way between the 1st, 2nd and booster dose(s). Foreign nationals must also present the results of a negative covid-19 test as per the paragraph above. Asymptomatic, fully-vaccinated foreigners who enter Canada do not need to quarantine post-entry. Unvaccinated foreigners are not allowed to enter Canada for non-essential travel; that also applies to Americans. Attending a rugby tournament is not considered essential travel.

Every individual entering Canada must download the ArriveCAN app to a mobile device of their choice and provide the required information so they can present their entry receipt on the app at the point of entry.

You can verify the strictures which will govern your entry to Canada by visiting this website and answering a few questions. These requirements can change at any time and will evolve in parallel with the pandemic itself. Make sure you check regularly.

Please also note that the requirements imposed by transportation providers (e.g. airlines) can be different, and possibly more stringent, than the requirements to enter the country itself. Make sure you regularly check with your transportation provider to stay current on evolving requirements.

Ok, that means that all foreign participants will have been vaccinated. What about Canadian players?

The Bingham 2022 Ottawa organizing committee will require that all Canadian registrants (players, referees, registered supporters, etc.) provide proof of vaccination before registration.