Coronavirus (COVID-19): testing
This page contains guidance on when to test for COVID-19 and how to access tests
Types of COVID-19 test
There are two main types of tests to check if you have COVID-19:
- a rapid lateral flow test
- a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test
Lateral flow tests come in packs that you can pick up from a pharmacy (only if you have no symptoms of COVID-19) or get delivered to your home and give rapid results within 30 minutes.
PCR tests were previously carried out at test sites and processed in a laboratory.
PCR testing is no longer recommended or available for people with symptoms and test sites have now closed.
PCR testing will still be available if you are advised by a healthcare professional to take a PCR test.
COVID-19 tests for people with symptoms
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new and persistent cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste), however mild, you should self-isolate immediately and take a lateral flow test.
You may not have all of the symptoms, or your symptoms may be similar to the cold or flu. Symptoms may vary for different age groups or different variants of the virus.
If you are in a group who may be eligible for COVID-19 treatments and you have symptoms you should follow this guidance:
COVID-19 testing for people without symptoms
It is no longer recommended to take a lateral flow test if you do not have symptoms.
In Northern Ireland, if you do not have symptoms, you can only order lateral flow tests if:
- you may be eligible for COVID-19 treatments and need lateral flow tests in case you become symptomatic
- you are a carer who provides close personal care for someone who is at higher risk if they contract COVID-19
- you are working or visiting high risk or vulnerable settings, such as care homes and hospital environments
- your GP or a healthcare professional asks you to take a test
- you have COVID-19 and want to check if your test result is still positive after day five
Lateral flow testing
How to get lateral flow tests
You can order free lateral flow tests online or you can collect them for free from participating pharmacies.
You should not collect tests from a pharmacy if you have symptoms. You should order online or ask someone who does not have symptoms to collect the lateral flow tests on your behalf.
If you cannot use the online or pharmacy collect service, call 119 to order a lateral flow test (free from mobiles and landlines).
Lines are open:
- Monday to Friday, from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday, from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
If you may be eligible for COVID-19 treatments, because you have one of the conditions that puts you at the very highest risk of illness should you catch COVID-19, you need to report the result if it is positive, to be assessed for a COVID-19 treatment.
If your lateral flow test is positive, you should self-isolate immediately.
How to take a lateral flow test
There are several different types of lateral flow devices.
It is important that you follow the instructions in your test kit, as some tests are nasal only tests, meaning a throat swab is not required.
Follow the step-by-step instructions in your test kit to complete the test.
Videos and large print instructions are also available at:
If you are blind or visually impaired, you can download the free Be My Eyes app to get help from trained NHS Test and Trace staff.
Reporting your lateral flow test results
You should report your test result within 24 hours of taking it at the following link:
It's important that you report every lateral flow test result, whether it is negative, positive or void, and receive a result confirmation notification.
This helps the health service track the spread of COVID-19 and manage cases more effectively.
If you are in a group who may be eligible for COVID-19 treatments, because you have one of the conditions that puts you at the very highest risk of illness should you catch COVID-19, you need to report the result if it is positive to be assessed for a COVID-19 treatment.
If you cannot use the online service to report your lateral flow test result, call 119 (free from mobiles and landlines).
Lines are open:
- Monday to Friday, from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday, from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
If you have been given a unique organisation number (UON) when accessing lateral flow tests, you should enter it when reporting your result. Using the UON helps to identify the number of cases related to a workplace or event.
Positive result
If your lateral flow test is positive you should self-isolate immediately:
If you have reported your positive lateral flow test result, the Public Health Agency’s contact tracing service will contact you with public health advice for you and your household members to help protect those most at risk and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Negative result
If your lateral flow test result is negative, you do not need to self-isolate. It is likely that you did not have COVID-19 at the time you took the test.
However, a negative test is not a guarantee you do not have COVID-19. You should still follow the guidance to stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If you are advised that you may be eligible for COVID-19 treatments and have symptoms of COVID-19, but have tested negative using a lateral flow test, you should follow the guidance:
Void result
If the test result is void, this means that the test has not run correctly. You need to take another lateral flow test. Do not reuse anything from the first test.
COVID-19 additional treatments
There are additional treatments available to people with COVID-19 who are at highest risk of becoming seriously ill. These treatments can help some people manage their COVID-19 symptoms and reduce the risk of being admitted to hospital and possible serious COVID-19 illness or death.
It is strongly recommended that anyone who is in a group that may be eligible for a COVID-19 treatment should get rapid lateral flow tests to keep at home in case you become symptomatic.
If you are in a group who may be eligible for treatment and have symptoms of COVID-19, you should test as soon as possible with a lateral flow test, even if your symptoms are mild.
Every lateral flow test result should be reported. This is particularly important if you are in a group that may be eligible for COVID-19 treatments and your lateral flow result is positive. You need to report that result to be assessed for a COVID-19 treatment.
Close contacts of positive cases
If you have reported your positive lateral flow test result, the Public Health Agency’s contact tracing service will contact you to give public health advice for you and your household, to help protect those most at risk and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Guidance on what to do if you're a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 is available at:
Routine contact tracing of close contacts outside your household has stopped and the StopCOVID NI app has been suspended.