Testing twice a week if you don’t have symptoms will help stop the virus spreading, keeping those close to you safer.
Around 1 in 3 people who have Covid-19 have no symptoms and could be spreading it without knowing.
That could be a friend, a relative, a work mate. It could even be you.
Regular rapid Covid-19 testing if you don’t have symptoms is a fast and easy way to find out if you have coronavirus. Millions of people are already using regular rapid testing to help protect those around them. All adults over 18 in England are now eligible to get free rapid Covid-19 tests twice a week. Tests are easy to do, and results come back within 30 minutes.
As lockdown restrictions ease, getting into the regular habit of testing twice a week will play an important role in keeping life moving; alongside the vaccine and other essential behaviours like hands, face, space and fresh air.
How regular rapid testing works
If your place of work or education is signed up to school/college/uni/workplace testing, you should already be informed about how rapid testing works there!
What if you’re not signed up to rapid testing yet, either at work or where you study? Help is at hand!
Free rapid tests are easy to get to test or collect at a local testing site, at participating pharmacies and to order online. To find out more, visit nhs.uk/gettested
If testing at home, you will need to register your results online or call 119. You should self-isolate if you get a positive result and order a confirmatory PCR test.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms – a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – you should book a PCR test online or by calling 119.
And remember hands, face, space, fresh air and the NHS COVID-19 app
Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser regularly.
Wear a face covering but remember some people may be exempt.
If anyone is too close to you – please move away from them giving you and them space.
Seeing friends again? Remember to stay outdoors. We’re much safer in the fresh air because Covid-19 particles are blown away, so meet outside and keep a safe distance.
Make sure you check in to certain venues you visit, like pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, gyms and hairdressers. Scanning the official NHS QR code poster using the NHS COVID-19 app is the quickest and easiest way to check in securely, enabling you to receive important public health messages as fast as possible. If you don’t have the NHS COVID-19 app, make sure you provide your contact details to the venue.
Let’s all take this next step safely.
