COVID-19 Testing (Test & Protect)

Test and Protect is Scotland’s way of putting into practice the test, trace, isolate, support, strategy.  It will prevent the spread of coronavirus in the community by:

• identifying cases of coronavirus through testing
• tracing the people who may have become infected by spending time in close contact with them
• supporting those close contacts who are required to self-isolate, so that if they have the virus they are less likely transmit to it to others

Breaking the chains of transmission in the community will stop the virus spreading. This will allow us to gradually change the restrictions that help to suppress the virus.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Get a test if you have symptoms

Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) should isolate immediately and book a test.

What test you’ll be offered

The test you’ll book is a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. PCR tests detect the genetic material of a virus and are the most reliable coronavirus tests.

Who can get a PCR test

Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus should book a PCR test.

You should get tested in the first 3 days of symptoms appearing, although testing is effective until day 5. You won’t normally be tested after day 5 unless it’s for a specific reason. This will be agreed on a case-by-case basis.

Get a PCR test if you have no symptoms

You should also book a test if:

• you’ve been asked to get a test by your local council, health protection team or healthcare professional
• you’ve been asked to get a test to confirm a positive lateral flow device (LFD) test result
• you’ve had 2 or more void LFD results
• you’ve been identified as a close contact through Test and Protect or the Protect Scotland app, or found out you’re a close contact another way
• you're a student returning to university in Scotland

If you do not have symptoms, and you have not been asked to book a test for any of these reasons, you can get a lateral flow device (LFD) test.

If you’re a close contact of someone who has tested positive

You should book a PCR test as soon as possible if you're a close contact of someone who has tested positive.

If you’re a close contact but you’ve already tested positive in the past 90 days, you should not get tested unless you develop new symptoms yourself.

How to book a test

To access PCR testing in Orkney, please visit Covid Community Testing Service  or you can call 0300 303 9545.

Find out more at Coronavirus (Covid-19): Get a test if you have symptoms