When Should You Get Tested for COVID-19?

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A third round of Free Covid-19 at-home test kits have been made available for every American household by the Biden Administration’s Health and Human Services Department. This news comes as reports of Covid-19 cases are on the rise… again.  Which begs the question: when should you take a test?  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has made it easy peasy with a step by step guide, offered below.

STEP 1

Do you have COVID-19 symptoms?

YES: Get tested immediately. Follow quarantine guidance while waiting for results.

NO: See Step 2.

STEP 2

Have you had close contact exposure to someone with COVID-19?

YES: Get tested at least 5 days after exposure. Follow quarantine guidance while waiting to test.

NO: See Step 3.

STEP 3

Do you need to test for …

Travel?

Outside of United States:

  • All travelers: Follow destination requirements.
  • All travelers: Consider getting tested as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) before your trip.

To the United States:

  • Air passengers (2 years or older): Before boarding a flight to the United States, you must show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 in the past 90 days. Foreign nationals have an additional requirement for proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
  • All travelers: Get tested 3-5 days after arrival in the United States.

Within the United States:

  • All travelers: Follow all state, tribal, local, and territorial health recommendations and requirements at your destination.
  • All travelers: Consider getting tested as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) before your trip.
  • Get tested after travel if your trip involved situations with greater risk of exposure such as being in crowded places while not wearing a well-fitting mask or respirator.

NOTE: Cruise travel has different guidance. See Cruise Ship Travel During COVID-19.

Work or School?

Participate in screening program as required and/or recommended by work or school.

An Upcoming Event or Gathering?

  • Reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 by getting tested as close to the event date as possible.
  • Self-tests are one of several options for testing for the virus that causes COVID-19 and may be more convenient than laboratory-based tests and point-of-care tests.

For your convenience the CDC has made a single sheet available to Download or Print: When To Get Tested.

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