Get tested for COVID-19

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

You can book antigen tests online from the HSE between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week. Only book 1 kit per person.

You also need to self-isolate (stay in your room). There is a high risk you could spread the virus.

Follow this advice even if you had your first round of COVID-19 vaccines, a booster, or a positive PCR test in the past 3 months.

How to do your antigen tests

You need to do 3 antigen tests 3 days in a row.

Watch a video on how to do an antigen test

If any of your antigen tests are positive, you need to report your positive antigen test result online and list your close contacts. You do not need to do any more antigen tests. Do not book a PCR test.

If you get 3 negative (not detected) antigen test results, continue to self-isolate until you have not had symptoms for 48 hours. You should also report your negative antigen result online. This helps us learn more about antigen testing.

A negative antigen test does not mean that you do not have COVID-19.

If you have an invalid test result, do another antigen test.

If you are a close contact

If you are a close contact you will also need to do an antigen test on day 7. This is because you had symptoms but were also a close contact.

Do your antigen test 7 days after:

• you were last in contact with the person who tested positive, if you know this
• you got the close contact text from the HSE, if you don't know when you were last in contact with the person who tested positive

Self-isolation

You need to self-isolate (stay in your room).

If you test positive, you need to self-isolate for 7 full days. You should also take extra care to avoid spreading the virus for 3 days after this.

Read more about what to do if you get a positive antigen test result

If you get 3 negative (not detected) antigen test results, continue to self-isolate until you have not had symptoms for 48 hours.

It's OK to stop self-isolating even if you have a mild cough or changes to your sense of smell – these can last for weeks after the infection has gone.

Face masks

Wear a medical or respirator face mask if you have to be around other people. But it is important to self-isolate (stay in your room) and avoid contact with other people.

Read more about face masks and when to wear one

If you are 40 or older and have symptoms of COVID-19, book a PCR test. Do not book antigen tests.

You also need to self-isolate (stay in your room). There is a high risk you could spread the virus.

Follow this advice even if you had your first round of COVID-19 vaccines, a booster, or a positive PCR test in the past 3 months.

Testing

You need to book a PCR test.

Find out what to do if your PCR test result is:

• positive for COVID-19 - how long to self-isolate and how to list your close contacts
• negative for COVID-19 - you will need to do an antigen on day 7 if you are a close contact

Self-isolation

You need to self-isolate (stay in your room).

You should start self-isolating as soon as you notice symptoms of COVID-19.

How long you need to self-isolate depends on the results of your PCR test.

Find out what to do if your PCR test result is:

• positive for COVID-19 - how long to self-isolate and how to list your close contacts
• negative for COVID-19 - you will need to do an antigen on day 7 if you are a close contact

Face masks

Wear a medical or respirator face mask if you have to be around other people. But it is important to self-isolate (stay in your room) and avoid contact with other people.

Read more about face masks and when to wear one

If your child is 3 months to 3 years old and has symptoms of COVID-19, book a PCR test for them. Do not book antigen tests.

You also need to keep them at home and isolate them from other people.

Follow this advice even if your child had a positive PCR test in the past 3 months.

Testing

You need to book a PCR test for your child. Do not book antigen tests.

Isolation

They need to isolate (stay in their room) and stay away from other people. They should start isolating as soon as you notice symptoms of COVID-19.

As you will be caring for your child, you should also read the advice on caring for someone who cannot self-isolate.

How long they need to isolate depends on the results of their PCR test.

Find out what to do if their PCR test result is:

• positive for COVID-19
• negative for COVID-19

Face masks

Young children should wear a well-fitted face mask.

Read more about children and face masks

If you are a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, you will get a text message from the HSE with a link to get tested. If you do not have symptoms, follow the advice in the text message.

If you do have symptoms of COVID-19, follow the testing advice on this page based on what group you are in.

Read more about what to do if you are a close contact

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and you have an underlying health condition that puts you at greater risk from the virus, talk to your GP.

Testing

Talk to your GP to get a PCR test.

Self-isolation

You need to self-isolate (stay in your room) as soon as you develop symptoms. 

How long you need to self-isolate depends on the results of your PCR test.

Find out what to do if your PCR test result is:

• positive for COVID-19
• negative for COVID-19

Face masks

If you can, wear a medical or respirator face mask if you have to be around other people. But it is important to self-isolate (stay in your room) and avoid contact with other people.

Read more about face masks and when to wear one

If you are a healthcare worker with symptoms of COVID-19, get a PCR test.

Visit the HSE’s staff website for information on COVID-19 testing for healthcare workers

You cannot use a HSE COVID-19 test result for international travel from Ireland.

If you need a letter for travel, you need to have a negative PCR test from a private company. They will give you the letter you need to travel.

Read government advice on international travel