Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19) saliva test kit instructions

Find out how to do a saliva (spit) test for COVID-19 and get the results. Saliva tests are only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19.

This publication was withdrawn on

This guidance is out of date. Read about the changes to testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) in England.

Documents

[Withdrawn] Your step-by-step guide to providing a saliva sample for COVID-19 testing

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[Withdrawn] Your step-by-step guide to providing a saliva sample for COVID-19 testing: large print

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Details

Find out how to take a saliva sample for COVID-19 testing for yourself (or a child) and how you will get the results. Saliva testing is only available through a registered organisation, such as your school, university or workplace. Your organisation will tell you if they are taking part in saliva testing, also known as LAMP testing.

This guide tells you how to:

  • take a sample
  • package your sample for the laboratory
  • return your sample
  • register your sample
  • understand your results

There is separate information on how to do a rapid lateral flow test. This is the type of test you usually do if you do not have symptoms, and if your organisation is not taking part in saliva testing.

Published 11 February 2022