Covid-19 Testing FAQ

There are 2 types of COVID-19 test available from the HSE: antigen tests (home test kits) and PCR tests (done at a test centre and sent to a lab).

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you need to self-isolate (stay in your room) right away, no matter what type of test you get. There is a high risk you could spread the virus.

PCR Testing

You can book a COVID-19 PCR test online if you:

• are over 39 and have symptoms of COVID-19
• are booking for a child who is under 4 who has symptoms of COVID-19
• had a positive antigen test in the past 24 hours
• are a healthcare worker

Walk-in testing is not available, you need to book a test appointment online. You can see a list of test centres and choose one near you when you book online.

If there are no test appointments available, check back later. Appointments may become available later in the day.

You cannot book online for someone else, unless you are booking for your child and they are under 16.

Bring ID with you when you go for your test.

Children under 16 must have an adult with them if they are getting a test. A parent or guardian must give consent for a child under 16 to have a test.

Antigen Testing

You should book antigen tests if you are aged between 4 to 39 years of age and have symptoms of COVID-19. If you are in this age group, do not book a PCR test unless you get a positive antigen test result.

Find out more about the testing that may be relevant to you or your family members by going to https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/testing/get-tested/

You can book a COVID-19 PCR test online if you:

• are over 39, have symptoms of COVID-19
• are booking for a child who is under 4, has symptoms of COVID-19
• had a positive antigen test in the past 24 hours
• are a healthcare worker

If you are aged 4 to 39 and you have symptoms of COVID-19, do not book a PCR test.
You should book antigen tests online instead.

If you have an underlying health condition, talk to your GP.

PCR tests are limited to 1 test for each person. 

As a laya healthcare member, you can book an appointment for a web consultation with GPlive. During your consultation with this Irish-registered GP, they decide if you should be referred for testing.

Our GPs and nurses available 24/7 can be contacted via our GPline and Nurseline service for advice and support - they cannot refer you for testing.

HSE Live and GP out-of-hours services also cannot refer you for testing.

If you get a positive PCR test result for COVID-19 (coronavirus), you need to self-isolate (stay in your room). There is a high risk you could spread the virus to other people. Do this even if you completed your first round of COVID-19 vaccination, had a booster or had a positive PCR test in the past.

Do not go to a vaccine appointment if you currently have COVID-19 (confirmed by a PCR test).

You should wait:

• 3 months if you are due to get a booster dose or additional dose (immunocompromised)
• 4 weeks if you are due to get your first round of COVID-19 vaccination

You should self-isolate (stay in your room) as soon as you notice symptoms of COVID-19 or get a positive antigen test result.

If you are a close contact with no symptoms, self-isolate as soon as you get your positive PCR test result.

How long you need to self-isolate varies on your situation and to find out more go to https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/testing/positive-result/

Covid-19 tests take place either in a community test centre or in your home. The HSE lets you know where your test will be.

Some community test centres are drive-thru, so you don’t need to get out of your car to be tested.

However, all the Covid-19 testing facilities are by appointment only. You cannot request a test at any of these locations. 

You can book a COVID-19 PCR test online if you:

• are over 39 and have symptoms of COVID-19
• are booking for a child who is under 4 who has symptoms of COVID-19
• had a positive antigen test in the past 24 hours
• are a healthcare worker

Walk-in testing is not available, you need to book a test appointment online. You can see a list of test centres and choose one near you when you book online.

What happens during a PCR test

1. Use the hand sanitiser provided to clean your hands.
2. We will take some personal details from you including your phone number. This is so we can contact you with your results. Make sure we have your correct phone number.
3. A healthcare worker will take a sample from inside the back of your throat and nose using a swab. This may be uncomfortable but it won't be painful. Children under 13 years old will only need to give a nasal swab sample.
4. We will send your sample to a lab for testing.
5. Go home - self-isolate (stay at home), if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or had a positive antigen test before your PCR test.

What happens during a drive-through PCR test

Some test centres offer a drive-through service.

To get a test in your car:

1. When you arrive, follow the signs and stay in your car.
2. A healthcare worker will ask you to open your window and direct you to a test bay - do not get out of the car.
3. You will give some personal details - this is so we can contact you with your results. Make sure they have your correct phone number.
4. A healthcare worker will take a sample from inside the back of your throat and nose - it won't be painful but it may be uncomfortable.
5. We will send your sample to a lab for testing.
6. Go home - self-isolate (stay at home), if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or had a positive antigen test before your PCR test.

Children under 13 years of age will only need to give a swab sample from their nose.

If someone else drives you to a drive-through centre

If you cannot drive yourself, a family member or a friend can drive you.

You should both wear a face covering and wash your hands before and after the journey.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or had a positive antigen test:

• sit in the back of the car
• avoid touching surfaces
• keep a window open

Bring tissues and bin them after you use them.

No, laya health & wellbeing clinics do not test for Covid-19. Following recommendations from the HSE, our clinics are currently only open for minor injuries. You should not attend these clinics if you have symptoms of flu or Covid-19

Most people will get their test results back within 3 days but it can take longer.

Please continue to self-isolate while you are waiting for your results. Follow any advice your GP gives you

If you have not received your test results you can stop self-isolating if both these apply:

• you have had no fever for 5 days
• it has been 14 days since you first developed symptoms

People who are very ill or are in hospital may get their results within 24 hours.

Contact tracing

If you test positive for Coronavirus , you will get a call from a contact tracer.

Contact tracing identifies people who were in close contact with someone who has coronavirus. For example, family members, friends, colleagues or fellow travellers.

It is done to try to reduce the spread of coronavirus in the community. The people who do this work are 'contact tracers'.

Close contact can mean:

• spending more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact within 2 metres of an infected person in any setting
• living in the same house or shared accommodation as an infected person

Contract tracking app

COVID Tracker is a free app for your mobile phone which can be downloaded from the app store. It will help us to protect each other and slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ireland. Using the COVID Tracker app along with the existing public health measures will help us all stay safe when we meet up, socialise, work or travel.

If you use the app you will;

• be alerted if you have been in close contact with another app user who has tested positive for coronavirus
• be able to track any symptoms you have and get advice on what to do to protect yourself and others
• be able to anonymously warn other app users that you were in close contact with, if you test positive for coronavirus

Contact tracing identifies people who were in close contact with someone who has coronavirus. For example, family members, friends, colleagues or fellow travellers.

It is done to try to reduce the spread of coronavirus in the community. The people who do this work are 'contact tracers'.

Close contact can mean:

• spending more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact within 2 metres of an infected person in any setting
• living in the same house or shared accommodation as an infected person

Contract tracking app

COVID Tracker is a free app for your mobile phone which can be downloaded from the app store. It will help us to protect each other and slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ireland. Using the COVID Tracker app along with the existing public health measures will help us all stay safe when we meet up, socialise, work or travel.

If you use the app you will;

• be alerted if you have been in close contact with another app user who has tested positive for coronavirus
• be able to track any symptoms you have and get advice on what to do to protect yourself and others
• be able to anonymously warn other app users that you were in close contact with, if you test positive for coronavirus

Yes, you should self-isolate. This applies before you ring your GP, while you’re waiting for your appointment to be tested and when you’re waiting for your test results.

That means you avoid contact with others. If you live with other people, you should restrict your movement as much as possible to one room and carefully follow the HSE guidelines.

What if I am a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Coronavirus?

If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Coronavirus you will receive either:

• a call from a contact tracer
• an alert on your mobile phone, if you are using the COVID tracker app.

You will then have to:

• Get tested for coronavirus
• Restrict your movements for 10 days- even if your test comes back negative.

If you are a close contact, you will get a second test if your first test is negative. This is because it can take up to 14days for the virus to show up in your system after you have been exposed to it.

You do not need to restrict your movements if you live with or have been in contact with someone who has been told they are a close contact. You will become a close contact yourself if they test positive for coronavirus

You can book a COVID-19 PCR test online if you:

• are over 39 and have symptoms of COVID-19
• are booking for a child who is under 4 who has symptoms of COVID-19
• had a positive antigen test in the past 24 hours
• are a healthcare worker

Walk-in testing is not available, you need to book a test appointment online. You can see a list of test centres and choose one near you when you book online.

Close contact can mean:

Spending more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact within 2 metres of someone who has COVID-19, indoors or outdoors

Living in the same house or shared accommodation as someone who has COVID-19

Sitting within 2 seats of someone who has COVID-19 on public transport or an airplane

Spending more than 2 hours in an indoor space with someone who has COVID-19 will sometimes count as close or casual contact. This could be an office or a classroom. But it will depend on the size of the room and other factors. Public health doctors or contact tracers will let you know if you are at risk during contact tracing and public health risk assessments.

If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Coronavirus you will receive either:

• a call from a contact tracer
• an alert on your mobile phone, if you are using the COVID tracker app.

You should book antigen tests if you are aged between 4 to 39 years of age and have symptoms of COVID-19. If you are in this age group, do not book a PCR test unless you get a positive antigen test result.

To learn more about both PCR and antigen testing go to https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/testing/get-tested/

Having any uncertainty around a health issue can be very worrying. The fact that you have to wait for your Covid-19 test and results in self-isolation can also heighten stress and anxiety levels.

We’re here to tell you that you are not alone. You can get support safely with the . This means you can talk to a qualified counsellor whenever you need to, at no additional cost.

The HSE also has a helpful guide full of practical tips to help you maintain your mental wellbeing at this time.

The situation with Covid-19 testing is always evolving, but we’ll try to keep you updated as much as possible.

We make sure our information is accurate, current and in line with the HSE. You can also see the HSE Covid-19 testing guidelines for yourself.