Guidance

Types and uses of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests

Guidance on the different types of coronavirus test available.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 14 July 2020
• Last updated: 11 February 2021
  Show all updates

  1. 11 February 2021

     Updated the time taken for LFD test results to arrive (from 2 hours to 30 minutes) and added a link to find out if your area offers rapid asymptomatic LFD testing.

  2. 16 January 2021

     Updated guidance on types and use of coronavirus tests including asymptomatic testing.

  3. 3 August 2020

     Updated guidance to reflect current advice to self-isolate for 10 days from when symptoms start.

  4. 14 July 2020

     First published.

This publication was withdrawn on 8 April 2021

This page has been replaced by a newer version on NHS.UK: Get tested for coronavirus

Applies to England

Documents

Types and uses of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests

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Details

Information on:

• the different types of coronavirus test
• which type of test to use and when
• what you should do when you receive a test result
• testing in the future