If you have symptoms
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 you should get a PCR.
The main symptoms are:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
If you test positive for COVID-19 you are advised to self-isolate for 5 days, but it is no longer a legal requirement.
You do not need to take a PCR test if you have already taken a lateral flow test and the result was positive.
If you do not have symptoms
About 1-3 people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms but can still infect others.
If you have been in contact with someone who has recently tested positive for COVID-19, you should do a lateral flow test, even if you have no symptoms.
Even if you’re vaccinated, there’s still a chance you can pass COVID-19 on, so you should get tested, but it is no longer a legal requirement.
Testing journey
Young people share their testing experiences
How to get your test
If you are at school and college
If you go to school or college, you can get rapid tests through your school or college. You’re advised to test twice a week.
Primary school-age children and younger do not need to test.
If you go to work or university
Some employers and universities offer rapid tests. Ask your employer or university if they provide rapid tests.
Order a test at home
You can get rapid flow test kits for free, sent to your home. Order now from the gov.uk website.
Pick up a test to do at home
You can pick test packs from a test collection point near you.
Go to a testing site
You can get tested at a rapid lateral flow test site.
Get your test
Enter your postcode, town or city to see where you can get a test