Having trouble finding a COVID rapid test for the border? Here are some options in Whatcom
While it still won’t be as simple as before the pandemic, making plans to cross the border should be a little easier and less expensive starting Monday, Feb. 28.
Earlier this month the Canadian government announced that it will allow a rapid antigen test to show that a traveler doesn’t have COVID-19 before entering the country. This includes Canadians who are returning home, who may find the quicker, less expensive tests more amenable for short cross-border trips into Whatcom County.
Traffic volumes have been sluggish throughout 2022 at the Lynden, Sumas and two Blaine border crossings, according to data from Cascadia Gateway Data website. At all four crossings, the average is under 5,000 passenger vehicles a day going both north and south in January, about half as many as in December when non-essential travel restrictions were first lifted by Canada.
Border traffic has picked up in the past week, regularly getting more than 5,000 passenger vehicles a day.
Since at-home antigen tests won’t be accepted to cross the border, travelers have to figure out where to get the test taken. That can be a bit of a puzzle, but there are places around Whatcom County gearing up to offer the rapid antigen tests for travelers. They say those tests are currently easier to find than the PCR molecular test, which is the current option for prearrival testing.
“This should absolutely be easier,” said Lydia Rolfes, a medical assistant lab technician at ARCpoint Labs in Bellingham. At ARCpoint, if an appointment is booked online to take care of paperwork, the procedure should that about 15 minutes, with results sent by email to the traveler an hour later.
While less expensive than the PCR test, the rapid antigen tests are not free. Prices can range from $60 to $75, so the cost could still deter those thinking about a quick shopping trip. The PCR tests generally run in the $160 range.
These are several of the businesses that will be offering antigen tests that can be used by travelers to cross the border:
▪ ARCpoint Labs, 4220 Meridian St. Since opening its Bellingham space in October, the majority of tests ARCpoint has handled is for travelers, Rolfes said. She’s expecting a spike in traffic into mid-March with the rapid testing, but said they have a good stockpile of those tests and should be able to handle the increased traffic.
While they do accept walk-ins, Rolfes recommends booking an appointment a few days ahead of time. Taking care of the payment and other paperwork early means just dropping in and getting the test. Previously, while waiting for tests, travelers usually went out to grab a meal nearby before heading up to the border and getting the results by email. She expects that to be common again.
ARCpoint is closed on weekends, so plan according when it comes to getting the tests. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
▪ Nooksack Valley Drug, 208 E. Main St., Everson. For those out skiing or enjoying the foothills, this can be a quick option for travelers heading to Canada. The pharmacy is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, closing an hour earlier on Saturday.
Pharmacy technician Tania Kasko said signups need to be done online. The tests at Nooksack are being offered for $60 and results should be available in about 30 minutes.
▪ Sumas Drug, 1143 Cherry St., Sumas. Getting testing done near the border crossing also has its advantages and it gives travelers a chance to wander around the community in need of support as it continues to recover from the November floods.
Sumas Drug can be a busy place, even when PCR tests were the only ones allowed to cross the border. On Monday, Feb. 21, the pharmacy handled about 90 COVID-19 tests, said Marie Hippe, a pharmacy technician. With antigen testing easier to get, Sumas Drug should have plenty available on Feb. 28.
Hippe said the rapid test results are usually ready in around 30 minutes, while PCR tests are usually 45 minutes.
A more complete list of which medical facilities or companies offering the tests can be found on the Whatcom County testing website.
This story was originally published February 24, 2022 at 9:58 AM.
