PCR test

An epidemic control worker has people scan their health codes as they wait in line for a nucleic acid test to detect COVID-19 at a public testing site on November 15, 2022 in Beijing, China.

China eases its strict Covid-19 restrictions after protests

Margaret Ferrier was found to have broken Covid rules after travelling from Glasgow to London and back while infected with the virus. (Credit: PA)

MP Margaret Ferrier avoids jail over train trip Covid breach

Can I go for a walk if I’m self-isolating? (Photo: Shutterstock)

Can I go for a walk if I have Covid? Self-isolation rules explained

Can you get Covid twice in a month? (Picture: NationalWorld)

Can you get Covid twice in one month? Coronavirus immunity explained

Fully vaccinated foreign citizens are eligible to enter the USA (Photo: Adobe)

USA entry requirements for UK visitors - and the Covid rules in place

Tourists need to prove they meet Spain’s Covid entry requirements (Photo: Getty Images)

Spain entry requirements for UK tourists as Covid rules tighten

The virus has been detected in over 50 nations

Is there a test for monkeypox? New 90-minute PCR test explained

If you did a rapid lateral flow test at home, you should report your result as soon as possible

Can you test negative and still have Covid?

(Photo: Getty Images)

Is Test and Trace still used? Scam TestNTrace text messages explained

Some Covid restrictions are still in place in Italy (Photo: Getty Images)

Italy travel entry rules and Covid jab restrictions for UK visitors

All arrivals into Turkey will be subject to a medical evaluation for symptoms of coronavirus (Photo: Getty Images)

Turkey travel rules and Covid entry requirements for UK visitors

Some countries have not yet made it mandatory for travellers to show proof of vaccination (Photo: Getty Images)

Countries allowing UK travellers to visit without a Covid vaccine

Changes to universal free Covid testing came into effect from 1 April (Composite: Kim Mogg / JPIMedia)

All the people still eligible for free Covid tests as rules change

Lateral flow tests will no longer be free for most people from 1 April (Photo: Getty Images)

Changes to free lateral flow tests from April as new rules come in

Coronavirus rates are rocketing in some of the UK’s most isolated areas, official figures show

Scotland has double rate of Covid infections seen in England

Covid entry rules have been eased in the Maldives (Photo: Adobe)

Maldives entry requirements for UK visitors as testing rules ease

Fully vaccinated travellers no longer have to take a pre-departure Covid test before visiting Dubai (Photo: Getty Images)

Dubai entry requirements for UK tourists as testing rules change

Free PCR tests could be scrapped ‘within weeks’ (Photo: Getty Images)

Free PCR tests to be axed ‘in weeks’ with £100 charge brought in

PCR tests are mainly used for people who have Covid-19 symptoms (Photo: Getty Images)

What Covid rules say about when to get a PCR test - and how to book

The new testing measures apply across the UK (Photo: Getty Images)

Key Covid rule change affecting use of PCR tests explained

Morocco reopened its borders for commercial flights on 7 Feburary (Photo: Getty Images)

Morocco entry requirements for UK tourists as borders reopen

Face masks are mandatory in all closed public spaces in Egypt (Photo: Getty Images)

Travel entry requirements for Egypt and the Covid rules in place

Covid-19 testing for travellers arriving in England who are fully vaccinated will be axed (Photo: Getty Images)

Covid tests scrapped for fully vaccinated arrivals in England

The Omicron Covid variant was first detected in early November 2021 (Photo: Shutterstock)

Does Omicron Covid variant show on lateral flow and PCR tests?

All contacts of suspected Omicron Covid-19 cases must self-isolate (Photo: Shutterstock)

How long do I need to self isolate for? New isolation rules explained

The Transport Secretary is expected to scrap the arrival tests later this month (Photo: Getty Images)

Covid arrival tests ‘to be axed’ for fully vaccinated returning to UK

It is possible to test positive Covid-19 for weeks, or even months (Photo: Shutterstock)

What Covid rules say if you still test positive after 10 days

If you did a rapid lateral flow test at home or at a test site and the result was positive you need to self-isolate straight away (Photo: Shutterstock)

How to report a lateral flow Covid test - and why we should

Covid testing rules for people without symptoms have been relaxed (Photo: Getty Images)

Confirmatory PCR tests scrapped for people with no Covid symptoms

You should not eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes before doing a PCR test (Photo: Getty Images)

What rules say about eating before a PCR test - and when to take one

England has now ditched the requirement for ‘pre-departure’ tests for inbound international travellers - so what are the new rules?

How to get a LFT test for travel near me: where to get tests

Nicola Sturgeon has announced that self-isolation has been cut from 10 days to seven day for those in Scotland. (Credit: Getty)

Sturgeon says self-isolation in Scotland is to be cut to seven days

Confirmatory PCR tests won’t be needed for those in England with no symptoms who have a positive lateral flow. Photo: Shutterstock

PCR tests after positive lateral flow to be suspended in England

Boris Johnson leaves number 10, Downing Street ahead of the weekly PMQ session in the House of Commons on January 05 (image: Getty Images)

These are all of the new Covid measures announced by Boris Johnson

Omicron may cause the skin, lips or nail beds to develop a pale, grey or blue-coloured tinge (Composite: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)

The warning symptom of Omicron that appears on skin, lips and nails

The self-isolation period starts immediately from the onset of symptoms or a positive test (Photo: Shutterstock)

The rules on leaving isolation if you still test positive after day 10

You should do rapid lateral tests on days when you’re more likely to catch or spread Covid (Photo: Shutterstock)

Latest on UK Covid test shortages - and when you can order them

One in five people taking PCR tests in England got positve results in the run up to Christmas.

Record high Covid positivity as 1 in 5 test positive in England

Travel bosses demand end to expensive Covid tests for Brits returning from holidays as Omicron ‘has already spread’ (Photo: Getty Images)

Travel bosses want end to pricey Covid tests as Omicron ‘already here’

A PCR test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud (Photo: Shutterstock)

How long do PCR Covid test results take?

Guidance on self isolation differs across the UK (Photo: Shutterstock)

The self isolation rules if are a contact of a positive Covid case

If the lateral flow test comes back negative, isolation can end after seven days (Photo: Shutterstock)

Self isolation rules cut to 7 days in England with negative Covid test

Contributor reports also identified loss of appetite and brain fog as common symptoms (Photo: Shutterstock)

The ‘surprising’ Omicron variant symptom that can appear when eating

Close contact Covid rules vary across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (Photo: Shutterstock)

Covid close contact rules across the UK explained

An NHS Covid Pass shows your coronavirus vaccination details or test results (Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

How to renew the barcode on NHS Covid pass

A Covid-19 spot checker is seen outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leeds United. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Premier League Covid rules: New measures explained

People across England have had difficulty booking PCR tests

Why there is a shortage of PCR test bookings in parts of the UK

You should isolate while waiting for a PCR test kit or confirmation of test results (Photo: Getty Images)

The self isolation rules while waiting for Covid PCR test results

Double jabbed Covid-19 contacts in England must take daily lateral flow tests for seven days (Photo: Getty Images)

The self isolation rules for double jabbed contacts of a Covid case

Education settings are not undertaking contact tracing and close contacts of people with Covid will now be identified via NHS Test and Trace (Photo: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

Can my child go to school if I have Covid?

The self isolation and testing rules for Covid vary across the UK (Photo: Shutterstock)

Do you have to isolate if someone in your house has Covid?

Holidaymakers will need to order a PCR test from a provider before travel (Photo: Getty Images)

Rules on Covid PCR tests for travelling abroad – and how to order one

From 7December UK holidaymakers must take a pre-departure Covid test (Photo: Getty Images)

Pre-departure Covid tests to return for UK arrivals over Omicron fears

Stansted Airport PCR test on arrival: how to book an on-site PCR test

Stansted Airport PCR test on arrival: how to book an on-site PCR test

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that travel abroad should be temporarily avoided by over 60s (Photo: Getty Images)

All over 60s advised to postpone travel over Omicron variant fears

All travellers arriving in the UK must take a PCR test on or before day two (Photo: Getty Images)

The rules on taking day 2 PCR test for travel as restrictions tighten