Testing for COVID-19
About testing for COVID-19. Who should get tested, how to get tested, testing criteria, and what to do if you get a positive or negative COVID-19 test result.
Unwell with COVID-19 symptoms? What to do
Avoid contact with others if you are unwell – this includes:
- work
- education
- childcare
- shopping centres
- sporting events
- social or religious gatherings.
Continue to follow measures that will help stop the spread. Practice good hygiene, keep 1.5 metres distance from others and stay at home if you are unwell.
Should I get tested for COVID-19?
People experiencing any of the following symptoms, no matter how mild, should be tested for COVID-19 as soon as symptoms appear:
- fever OR chills (with no alternative illness that explains these symptoms)
- cough
- sore throat
- runny nose
- shortness of breath
- loss of taste and smell.
Call 000 (Triple Zero) in an emergency, such as having difficulty breathing or chest pain.
How and where can I get tested?
Visit our Testing for COVID-19 page for information about testing and testing clinic locations.
If you have a negative test result
If you receive a negative test result, you should still stay at home and not attend work, school or childcare until you are feeling well again.
People in self-isolation or self-quarantine will need to remain at their place of quarantine for the prescribed period even if they return a negative test result.
If you have a positive test result
It is important that you follow medical advice.
If your result is positive you will be contacted directly by SA Health.
If you have received a positive result for COVID-19, visit the information about a positive result for COVID-19 page for information about what to do.
