At-home rapid tests to be available at pop-up event in Whitehorse

Press Release

In order to expand public testing accessibility, the Government of Yukon will be distributing COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits at a pop-up site this Saturday in Whitehorse.

On February 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Yukoners in Whitehorse can pick up at-home rapid test kits from the Centennial Motors test distribution site located across from the Erik Nielsen International Airport. Each rapid test kit contains five at-home rapid tests and are available to all Yukon households, regardless of whether a person is symptomatic or not.

Asymptomatic people picking up test kits should keep them on hand in the event they develop symptoms.

Vaccination remains our best protection against COVID-19 and rapid tests are one of the many tools Yukoners can use to help stop the spread of the virus. We want to ensure we get rapid tests into the hands and homes of Yukoners and I encourage those in Whitehorse to visit the pop-up site this Saturday to get a rapid test kit.

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee

Together with vaccinations and boosters, increased access to rapid tests will help us limit community spread and emerge from the Omicron wave sooner and stronger.

acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott

Quick facts

• If an at-home rapid test is positive, the recommendation is to follow the guidance on what to do if you get a positive COVID-19 test result, including informing close contacts of a positive test. People who are close contacts should follow the instructions on what to do if you’re a close contact.
• Lab-based PCR testing is still available at the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre (CTAC) and the Centennial Motors site in Whitehorse for people who meet the eligibility criteria. People who test positive using an at-home rapid test kit do not need to get a lab-based PCR test unless they meet the high-risk criteria.
• People in communities can pick up an at-home rapid test at a nearby location.
• In communities outside of Whitehorse, lab-based PCR testing for all residents can be booked by contacting a local community health centre.

Contact

Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca

Carleen Kerr
Communications Director, Health and Social Services
867-667-3673
carleen.kerr@yukon.ca

News release #:
22-041

IHT4