Coronavirus - how to get tested

You can get a swab test to check if you currently have coronavirus. This is part of the 5-pillar strategy for coronavirus testing (click). Testing is most effective within 3 days of symptoms developing.

Who can be tested

Anyone with symptoms (click) can get a coronavirus test, whatever their age.

• Get a coronavirus test (click)

Register a home test kit

Once you’ve received a coronavirus home test kit, you must register it so that we can send your results to you.

• Register a home test kit (click)

If you are about to go to hospital

• Register a home test kit before a hospital procedure (click)

The testing process

The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat, which can be done by the person themselves (self-administered) or by someone else (assisted).

Home testing

Home test kits can be delivered to someone’s door so they can test themselves and their family without leaving the house. Home test kit availability will be initially limited, but more will become available.

If you have been delivered a home testing kit or have been given a self-test kit at a regional test site, here is a tutorial video that supports the written instructions in your pack, from Dr Amir Khan:

• How to take a coronavirus self-test swab (click)

The instructions on testing for coronavirus at home are also available in accessible formats (clikc).

See the full Gov page here:-

• www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested