Getting Tested

Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to remain in self-isolation or passive follow up while you wait for your test result. If you are unsure what you need to do while you wait for your result, please check with the operator who calls you to book you in for your test. Information about self-isolation can be found at https://covid19.gov.gg/support/protect. 

Alternatively if you are identified as a potential contact of a case, Public Health Services will do a risk assessment to determine the level of contact. You may be asked to do passive follow up instead I am a contact of a case | States of Guernsey - COVID-19 (gov.gg)

You are likely to receive your results between 24 - 48 hours after the swab has been taken.

When you provide your personal details, you will be asked if you consent to contact by text message. If you agree to this, you will receive a negative result by text.

If you do NOT consent to receiving text messages, or if your result is positive, you will receive a phone call.

Please note that multiple results cannot be sent through to a single number e.g. families or travelling groups. Each individual will instead receive a phone call. Children’s results will not be sent in text message format and a parent or other person with parental responsibility will be phoned.

PCR test positive result

If you get a positive result you need to stay in isolation for 10 days from when you first test positive. The Public Health Team will inform you of your result and will provide you with all the guidance required. 

You will receive a letter from Public Health services regarding your positive COVID-19 result.  This will confirm the date when you will be considered recovered and can leave your self-isolation. 

You do not need to undergo any additional COVID-19 tests and do not need a negative test to leave isolation. However, you do need to have had no symptoms for 48 hours. This does not include a persistent cough and/or loss of smell or taste as these can persist after you are no longer infectious.

LFT test positive result

If you have had a positive result from an LFT then you need to have a PCR test. You can either attend a PCR testing ‘drop-in’ sessions at East Arm (22 November - 10 December, 08.30am - 10.15am Monday to Friday ) or phone the Clinical Helpline on 220001 or 220002  to book in for a PCR test. You need to stay at home until you have the result of this test. If the LFT is for a child, please notify the child’s school or childcare setting. Other people in your household do not need to stay home at this stage.

If your PCR test is negative you can return to your normal activities but, if you feel unwell, we will recommend that you stay at home.

If your PCR test confirms you are positive for COVID-19 you will need to stay in isolation for 10 days from when you first test positive, and you will be contacted by Public Health Services. 

You will receive a letter from Public Health services regarding your positive COVID-19 result.  This will confirm the date when you will be considered recovered and can leave your self-isolation. 

You do not need to undergo any additional COVID-19 tests and do not need a negative test to leave isolation. However, you do need to have had no symptoms for 48 hours. This does not include a persistent cough and/or loss of smell or taste as these can persist after you are no longer infectious.

Read more here: I am a positive case | States of Guernsey - COVID-19 (gov.gg)

If you have no transport of your own and cannot access a lift to the testing centre at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital from a member of your household and have no symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, a sore throat, muscle aches, headache/sinus pain, a fever, a high temperature, shortness of breath) you can use a taxi. 

When booking, you must inform the taxi company that you are booking to go for a COVID-19 test at the hospital drive-through. You must also: 

• Wear a face mask throughout the journey
• Sanitise your hands before entering the taxi
• Keep the car windows down throughout the journey
• Follow other instructions given by the taxi driver
• Sit in the back seat behind the driver

On arrival at the PEH the taxi driver should drive into car park C where they will be greeted by a porter and directed into the drive through testing centre. Both passenger and driver should remain in the vehicle until directed otherwise.

When the taxi is in the testing facility the person requiring a test will be asked to step out of the taxi and informed where to stand/sit for the test to take place. The individual being tested must keep their mask in place until instructed to remove it by a member of the testing team.

Once the swab has been taken the individual must replace their mask and sanitise their hands. They should then get back into the taxi and continue to follow the above guidance until they are back at their place of residence.

If you are required to provide proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 result for your travel destination or carrier, you can request this online using this form: https://gov.gg/outboundtraveller-pcr and the team will be in touch to book your test.

Pre-travel PCR tests will cost £83 per test. Our Primary Care colleagues have been providing this service in their own practices and travellers are able to continue using Primary Care for pre-travel testing but this new online system is an additional service which ensures testing can be undertaken 7 days a week.

Outbound travellers should complete the online form 48 hours before the test is required. Results will be sent via email within 24 to 48 hours (the processing time may be quicker). The email will include a letter confirming the negative result which can be shared with your travel destination or carrier.

The Clinical helpline which is run by JESCC has handles calls from Islanders seeking clinical advice about COVID-19.

Call handlers on this line are there to assess whether you need a COVID-19 test based on a set of clinical questions that they will talk you through over the telephone.  Calling the helpline will essentially result in one of two outcomes:

• If you need a COVID-19 test they will refer you to the scheduling team who will arrange an appointment.
• They will determine that you don’t need a COVID-19 test and the call handler will take no further action.

What the call handlers CANNOT do is determine whether you need any additional clinical assessment or treatment. If you don’t need an ambulance and are unwell then you should contact your primary care practitioner who will be able to determine the cause of your illness and the correct treatment.

Before you call for assistance please bear in mind the following: 

• If you are very unwell phone 999
• If you are concerned you are unwell and need to speak to someone about your symptoms call your GP
• If you have symptoms that are manageable at home which you are not worried about, call the helpline to discuss if you need a COVID test

Please go to Education guidance | States of Guernsey - COVID-19 (gov.gg) for the latest education guidance.

For information about Year 10 - 13 students surveillance testing please go to: Local Testing | States of Guernsey - COVID-19 (gov.gg)