Antigen Testing Option for Travelers Driving to the NW Angle
Want to drive to the NW Angle? As long as you are vaccinated, there are few things you need to do, but it is getting easier every day. Antigen tests professionally administered or observed are now being accepted. Let’s try to make this as easy as possible.
In a nutshell, you need to be vaccinated, have proper travel documents to enter Canada (passport, etc) and have COVID Test with a negative result.
Canada now has an app for a smartphone they require you to use called ArriveCan. This is a free app and when you use it one time, much of you info is saved for the next time.
Starting February 28th, COVID testing requirements got just a bit easier. Canada now allows an antigen test. There has to be proof of the test being professionally administered or observed taken outside of Canada no more than one day prior to travel. This opens testing up to most pharmacies, quick clinics and many other places at a fraction of the cost. The antigen tests are typically rapid tests and are widely available.
Pre-entry testing (accepted types, timing)
Options for providing proof of a valid pre-entry test
All travellers 5 years of age or older must provide proof of one of the following accepted types of test results:
Starting February 28: proof of a professionally administered or observed negative antigen test taken outside of Canada no more than 1 day before your scheduled flight or entry to Canada by land or water
the one day window does not depend on the time of day the test was taken or the time of your flight or entry
for example, if your flight is scheduled to leave or you enter by land any time on Friday, you could provide proof of a negative result from an antigen test taken any time on Thursday, or on Friday
it must be administered or observed by a pharmacy, laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service
the test must be authorized for sale or distribution in Canada or in the jurisdiction in which it was obtained
the test must be performed outside of Canada
Proof of a valid negative molecular test taken within 72 hours of your scheduled flight’s departure time to Canada or your entry to Canada by land or water
for example, if your flight is scheduled to leave at 11:00 am on Friday, your test must have been taken any time after 10:59 am on Tuesday
Previous positive molecular test result:Â you no longer have symptoms and provide proof of a positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before entering Canada. Counting starts the day after your test.
for example, if your positive COVID-19 molecular test was taken on January 1, then January 11 would be the earliest scheduled departure date of your flight to Canada, or the first day you could use it to enter Canada by land or water
if your positive proof is accepted you won’t have to take arrival or Day-8 tests
a positive antigen test result is never a valid test result for boarding a flight or entry to Canada and can’t be used as proof of a previous infection
End of short trip exemption: the pre-entry testing exemption for trips 72 hours or less ended on December 21, 2021.
Driving back through Canada on your return trip. There is no requirement for a new COVID test when leaving the NW Angle to travel south back to the U.S.  Travelers still need to check by contacting CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) as they always had to do. This can be done at Jim’s Corner or by calling the 1-888-CAN-PASS number and updating your ArriveCan App as CBSA will ask for that info.
Checklist of what you need to have ready at the border
To enter or return to Canada as a fully vaccinated traveller, you must follow all of these requirements.
Have the following items with you for assessment by a government official at the border (land border crossings do not provide WiFi for travellers):
Quarantine plan. Travelers might scratch their head’s on this one. Should you get COVID while in Canada, they ask that you have a plan. You need to enter where you would quarantine in the ArriveCan App. You can choose many places, but most travelers have been selecting the Sprague Hotel in Manitoba and entering that address. You have to travel through the small town of Sprague, MB while driving up to the Angle. The name and address is…
Travel to the Angle and avoid the border. There are three viable ways to travel up to the NW Angle and avoid the border all together.
 Snowmobile up. During the winter months, there a couple of different snowmobile trails that are groomed and staked that keep you in Minnesota by going across Lake of the Woods.
Drive your own boat up to the Angle (please note, LOW is big water, the right boat and experience along with a flexible schedule is important)
Lake of the Woods Passenger Service. This is a service that transports you up to your favorite NW Angle resort via bombardier or charter boat across Lake of the Woods. Sit back and enjoy the scenery!
Lake Country Air. This fly in service will fly from a few different locations on the south end of Lake of the Woods across the lake up to the NW Angle. The plane lands on the ice runway or on the open water with floats. This 15 minute flight across the lake is scenic, easy and quick. They also fly from South St. Paul and other Midwest locations. Contact them for options.
The NW Angle is an absolute premier destination. In today’s age of COVID, it might take a bit more effort to get there, but for most, it is well worth the effort!
