In order to expand public testing accessibility, the Government of Yukon will now be offering additional opportunities in Whitehorse to pick up at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits.
This week, at-home rapid tests kits can be picked up from the existing Takhini Arena distribution site and the Centennial Motors drive-thru location across from the Erik Nielsen International Airport. Rapid tests can be used at home when a person develops COVID-19 symptoms and are available to pick up by all Yukoners whether they are symptomatic or not.
The Takhini Arena is open between 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday and the Centennial Motors drive-thru is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week.
On Monday, February 21, 2022, the Takhini Arena distribution site will close and a new walk-up location for at-home rapid test distribution will open in the north parking lot of the Visitor Information Centre on Lambert Street in downtown Whitehorse. Operating hours will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Also effective on February 21, the Centennial Motors site will no longer offer lab-based PCR testing and switch to at-home rapid test distribution only. In Whitehorse, all lab-based PCR testing will be by appointment at the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre (CTAC), located adjacent to Boston Pizza and the Motor Vehicles office at 49 Waterfront Place.
For people in communities outside of Whitehorse, at-home rapid test kits can be obtained through our partners, including Yukon First Nations governments and municipalities, and lab-based PCR testing is available through health care providers or community health centres.
COVID-19 rapid tests are helping Yukoners stop the spread of COVID-19 and are a tool they can use when they develop symptoms. I encourage all Yukoners to pick up a rapid test kit at any of the locations in their community, including the convenient rapid test distribution site soon to open in downtown Whitehorse. Thank you to the municipalities and First Nations governments who are helping ensure rapid tests are getting in the hands and homes of Yukoners throughout the territory.
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee
Increased access to rapid testing is an important step to help Yukoners manage our COVID-19 risks. These rapid antigen tests are good at confirming infection when positive but less effective at ruling out infection when negative. That is why it is important to stay home and away from vulnerable people when you have symptoms, even if you get a negative test. At-home rapid tests can help us make wise choices to limit spread during this time of community transmission of the Omicron variant.
acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott
Each kit contains five rapid tests.
Yukoners are able to pick up an at-home rapid test for a friend or neighbour if they are unable to travel to get one themselves.
If a person tests positive using an at-home rapid test, it is recommended that they follow the guidance on what to do if they get a positive COVID-19 test result, including informing close contacts that they have tested positive. Close contacts should follow the instructions on what to do if you’re a close contact.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Samantha Henney
Communications, Health and Social Services 867-393-1616
samantha.henney@yukon.ca