Regular rapid lateral flow coronavirus (COVID-19) tests
You can get regular rapid lateral flow tests if you do not have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Why you should get tested regularly ?
About 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms but can still infect others.
You should do a rapid test twice a week (every 3 to 4 days) to check if you have the virus. If people test positive and self-isolate, it helps stop the virus spreading.
Even if you’re vaccinated, there’s still a chance you can pass COVID-19 on, so you should keep getting tested regularly.
About rapid tests
The test for people without symptoms of COVID-19 is called a rapid lateral flow test.
This usually involves rubbing a long cotton bud (swab) over your tonsils (or where they would have been) and inside your nose.
Tests give a quick result using a device similar to a pregnancy test.
You can do a rapid test at home or at a rapid lateral flow test site.
Research shows rapid tests are 99.9% accurate. This means the chance of getting a false-positive result (where the result shows as positive but is actually negative) is extremely low.
If you test positive, you and anyone you live with will need to self-isolate.
Who can get regular rapid tests?
Anyone who does not have symptoms can get regular rapid lateral flow tests to check for COVID-19.
Information: A lateral flow test is good for screening when you have no symptoms but not useful if you have symptoms. If you have symptoms, but have a negative lateral flow test result – it does not mean you have not got COVID-19.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you need a different test called a PCR test. Get a PCR test if you have symptoms of COVID-19 on GOV.UK
How to get regular rapid tests.
Order tests online.
If you order online, you can get rapid flow test kits sent to your home.
If you do tests at home, you’ll need to report your results online or on the phone.
Pick up tests to do at home
You can pick test packs from a test collection point near you.
From 3 July 2021, some test sites will stop providing home test kits for collection. But you’ll still be able to pick up tests from pharmacies and collection points run by community organisations, like libraries.
If you do tests at home, you’ll need to report your results online or on the phone.
Go to a test site
You can get tested at a rapid lateral flow test site.
If you go to a test site:
- you may need an appointment, so check before you go
- a trained helper might be able to help you do the test
- you’ll get a text or email with the result when it’s ready
School, college and nursery testing
If you attend or work at a school, college or nursery you can get rapid tests through your school, college or nursery.
You’re advised to do a test twice a week.
Primary school-age children and younger do not need to test.
Employee and university testing.
Some employers and universities offer rapid tests. Ask your employer or university if they provide rapid tests.