As cases across Wales continue to rise due to the prevalence of the Delta variant, it’s vital that we all regularly check for symptoms; and isolate and get a test if you do have them.
If you do not have symptoms, but are NOT working from home and would like lateral flow tests to conduct regularly, you can now get a pack of these delivered to you, free of charge. Information on how to obtain these is at the bottom of this blog. If you do have symptoms, you’ll need to order a free PCR test.
Testing if you have symptoms:
Anyone with coronavirus symptoms should self-isolate and get a PCR test. Coronavirus symptoms are:
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- loss of or change to sense of smell or taste
Your local health board may offer you a test if you feel unwell, even if you don’t have coronavirus symptoms. Unless you develop one of the three recognised symptoms, you and your household do not have to self-isolate.
How to get a test if you have coronavirus symptoms
If you have coronavirus symptoms you need to take a test within the first 5 days of having symptoms as the test checks if you have coronavirus right now and not if you’ve already had the virus.
You can apply for a test for yourself or someone in your household with symptoms. This includes adults and children, including those under 5.
Book a test online
Book a test online (on GOV.UK)
You will be asked to input your post code. The system will offer you appointments at the nearest testing sites with available slots.
If there are no tests available, try again later, as tests become available during the day.
Book a test by telephone
Call 119 between 7am and 11pm (calls are free).
If you have hearing or speech difficulties: call 18001119.
This service is available to help you book a test, but it cannot provide clinical advice.
It is available for support throughout the testing process. It offers support in up to 650 languages, including British Sign Language (BSL).
Regular Lateral Flow Testing for People Without Symptoms
About 1 in 3 people with coronavirus do not have symptoms but can still infect others.
Getting tested regularly is the only way to know if you have the virus. If people test positive and self-isolate, it helps stop the virus spreading.
In Wales, you can get lateral flow tests for you and your household if:
- you are a volunteer
- you cannot work from home
- you are an unpaid carer
- you are visiting Wales from elsewhere
- you are travelling to other areas of the UK
- your health board requires testing before hospital visits
- you or your partner are using hospital maternity services
- you are the parent, carer or guardian of a child in hospital
- you are going to an event that requires it
If you get tests through your employer or education setting you should continue to do so.
Order rapid lateral flow home test kits on GOV.UK. You can order 1 home testing kit (7 tests) at a time. Delivery takes 1 to 2 days.
You can also collect testing kits in person. Find your nearest collection point and opening times (on nhs.uk).
You can collect rapid COVID-19 tests from most pharmacies. Find out if a pharmacy near you is offering this service.