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If you are going into hospital, you must take your COVID-19 swab test exactly 3 days before the day of your procedure.
This guidance details how to:
check the test kit contents
register your test kit online
book your courier collection
prepare, take and package your swab sample
give your completed test kit box to the courier
get your test results by text
The test outlined in this guidance is suitable for:
adults aged 18 and over
teenagers aged 12 to 17
children 11 and under
Published 15 December 2020 Last updated 19 February 2021 +show all updates
Added Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujerati, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi (Gurmukhi), Slovak, Somali, Urdu and Welsh translations of Testing for COVID-19 before a hospital procedure (easy read).
Added 'Testing for COVID-19 before a hospital procedure (easy read)'.
Added supporting guidance for testing before hospital treatment.