These criteria are regularly updated by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). Refer to the case definition for person under investigation (PUI).  You will be tested only if you meet the PUI criteria, which includes having symptoms of a respiratory illness of recent or sudden onset.

The exact testing process may be different in different provinces and between the public- and private-sectors. In general, you need to first contact your healthcare provider. This may be your GP or your local clinic/ hospital. You should phone ahead to your healthcare provider, if possible, and find out what the exact process is for you to be tested. If you cannot get hold of your healthcare provider, you can try to call your nearest testing laboratory for information. If you have internet access, you can look for specific information on these testing laboratory websites. If you do not need emergency medical care, you should not visit a hospital emergency unit for testing. Some hospitals or GPs may refer you to an off-site testing facility. The NHLS and some private laboratories offer testing at mobile facilities. You will need to pay for tests done at private laboratories.  

The most commonly collected specimen is a swab collected through your nose. If you have a wet cough, you may be asked to produce a sputum specimen into a jar for testing. This specimen will be sent to a pathology laboratory. The laboratory will test your specimen for genetic material from the new coronavirus. This virus has been named SARS-CoV-2. The test will be reported as either positive or negative. If your test is reported as positive, this means that genetic material from the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was found in your specimen and you have confirmed coronavirus disease. Please refer to guidance on what to do if I test positive for coronavirus disease and am asked to home isolate. If your test is reported as negative, this may not necessarily exclude COVID-19 for a number of reasons.  You should therefore complete your period of home quarantine as you have potentially been exposed to the infection, and you should only have a repeat test if this is advised by your healthcare provider. 

The turn-around time for testing specimens varies from laboratory to laboratory. In general, you should expect to receive your results within a few days.

Your test results will be sent to your healthcare provider. If have agreed to be contacted with your test results, your test result may be sent directly to you.