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WAHA Pre-Travel COVID-19 Testing Requirements for NIHB Appointments

REVISED June 15th, 2022

People who have recently been infected with COVID-19 and have recovered may continue to have a positive COVID-19 test result for up to 90 days, while no longer being infectious.
As of April 1st, 2022, people who have a clearance letter from a previous travel can use the same letter for up to 90 days without having to re-test. It is imperative to always carry your clearance letter with you for duration of your trip.

To all NIHB Travellers/Escorts:

As of Monday, February 14th, 2022, patients (and escorts) travelling for medical appointments to Kingston, Timmins, Sudbury, or other referral centres will require a negative COVID-19 test with documentation. If you are travelling by ground/train/bus, IPS/Timmins Patient Services/Moosonee Hostel will require proof of documentation of a negative test in the past 24hrs.

NIHB Medical Transportation Coordinators will inform clients/escorts of the pre-flight testing requirements when called about appointment times. If a client/escort cannot be reached by the Transportation Coordinator (TC) because they are not there to take the call or do not have a phone, it will be the client/escorts responsibility to contact their TC the day prior to their departure to answer the mandatory pre-screening questions.

If a call is not received by the client and escort by 12:00 p.m. the day before the travel date, travel will be cancelled and rescheduled accordingly.

The client or escort can reach the Medical Transportation Office Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (705)-336-2947.

The test can be either a PCR (Genex), ID-NOW, or Rapid Antigen test and requires verification from hospital/clinic or the community-based test site. The test must be administered within the 24hr period prior to travel time. For Monday morning flights, the test can be completed the morning of travel. The test must be completed/verified by the testing centre and not a self-administered test.

Update : Wednesday, February 16th, 2022

ALL clients and escorts travelling to NIHB-related health appointments must be screened and tested. If you are travelling:

A) By winter road, you must call Medical Transportation to be screened and informed of pre-travel COVID-19 testing- otherwise your appointment will be cancelled and rebooked, and travel arrangements will be cancelled.

B) Without approval, being screened or tested, you are responsible for all transportation costs and can file for reimbursement.

C) With additional family members who are not attending medical appointments (pre-approved through referral process), you are responsible for all transportation costs and can file for reimbursement

Locations and Hours of Operation:

The following locations are available for community members and escorts to obtain the test and proper documentation within 24hrs of your travel date:

Peawanuck Nursing Station

Please call the clerk at 705-473-2525 to book an appointment.

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 8:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00 pm-5:00 pm

Attawapiskat Community Testing Site

Please call Chelsea Edwards at 705-997-2149/1152.

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00 pm-5:00pm

*Walk-ins accepted.

Kashechewan Community Testing Site

Please call 705-275-1665.

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 8:30-4:30pm

*Walk-ins accepted; no appointment necessary.

Fort Albany WAHA Hospital

Please call 705-278-3330 to book an appointment.

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 8:30am-4:00 pm

*Open Sundays for Monday travellers. 

Moose Factory WAHA Covid Assessment Centre (CAC)

Please call CAC Clerk at 705-658-4544 to book an appointment.

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 8:00 am-4:00pm

Moosonee Health Centre

Please call 705-336-2341 to book an appointment.

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday from 9:00 am-5:00 pm

*Open some weekends and will be publicly posted.

If you have any questions, please contact NIHB Medical Transportation Office or the Travel Testing Centre designated in your community.

Thank you,

WAHA Pandemic Team