Coronavirus (COVID-19): testing
Find out who is eligible for COVID-19 tests, how to access tests and what to do if your result is positive.
Testing for COVID-19
If you develop symptoms, you should follow guidance for people with symptoms of respiratory infections including COVID-19.
Most people do not need to do a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test if you have symptoms.
COVID-19 testing is only recommended if you have a health condition which means you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatment and to support clinical care.
Only those groups are eligible for free tests.
How to get lateral flow tests
You may be able to get a free test from a pharmacy if you are eligible for COVID-19 treatments.
Free lateral flow tests are not available to order online or by phone.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should not collect tests from a pharmacy yourself.
You should ask someone who does not have symptoms to collect the lateral flow tests on your behalf.
If you want to get tested but are not eligible for free rapid lateral flow tests, you need to pay for the test yourself.
You can buy rapid lateral flow tests from some pharmacies and retailers, in person or online.
If you work in health and social care
If you work in health and social care, you may still be able to get free lateral flow tests from your employer if you are eligible for COVID-19 treatments.
Reporting your lateral flow test results
If 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.
You should report your positive COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test result at:
You need to report your positive result and include your postcode and a phone number, to be assessed for a COVID-19 treatment.
If you are not able to report your test result online
If you cannot use the online service to report a test result, contact your GP or GP Out of Hours who can contact your Trust on your behalf.
Void result
If the test result is void, this means that the test has not run correctly. If you are eligible, you should take another lateral flow test. Do not reuse anything from the first test.