The drive-thru COVID-19 screening service in Whitehorse will close end of day today. The drive-thru, located at Centennial Motors, 91628 Alaska Highway, in the wash bay, will no longer be open or available for testing people with symptoms.
The drive-thru testing centre was opened on November 23, 2020 to help meet the increased demand for testing. Since its opening, 816 people were tested at the drive-thru. Due to the low testing rates, this additional location is no longer needed.
The COVID-19 Testing and Assessments Center remains open for screening and assessment needs from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The center can be found at 49 Waterfront place in Whitehorse.
The alternative COVID-19 mouth rinse and gargle test option is now available for children and youth ages 5 to 18 years old.
Anyone who is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested. To arrange for testing, people should call the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre at 867-393-3083 in Whitehorse. For medical questions or if people feel ill they should phone 811 or use the COVID-19 self-assessment tool.
The drive-thru was opened in the interest of serving more Yukoners. As we saw a gradual rise in cases, it was essential to increase our testing capacity while providing a convenient and efficient location for people to get tested. It was a great success but after much evaluation and a decrease in demand for testing, we have decided at this time to close the drive-thru centre. If circumstances were to change and more facilities are needed in the future, we can swiftly re-open centres to accommodate this need.
Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost
Pat Living
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-335-1531
patricia.living@yukon.ca