How you can book a coronavirus test in Wales

The Welsh Government has launched an online booking system to speed up the way critical workers can get tested for coronavirus.

But there is confusion over how to access the system and who is able to use it.

If you think you have coronavirus symptoms, and you believe you're a critical worker, you need to go to your employer in the first instance and they will start the application process for you.

In south east Wales, where the online system is up and running, a link is given to you to access the site.

You can then use the link to book online.

There are currently two drive-through centres in south east Wales; one at the Cardiff City Stadium and the second at Rodney Parade, Newport.

The drive-though testing centre at the Cardiff City Stadium was the first to open in Wales.

In the rest of Wales, you will be put into the current manual booking system until the online system is up and running elsewhere.

In north Wales, critical workers will be tested at the drive-through testing centre in Llandudno.

Those in south west Wales will be referred to the drive-through centre in Carmarthen.

The Welsh Government are looking to expand testing capacity in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys.

People in north Wales can be tested at the drive-through centre in Llandudno.

At the moment, those who work in health and social care, police, fire service and prison service are prioritised for testing to ensure essential services can continue.

But there are around 438,000 critical workers in Wales and they fall into the following broad categories:

  • Health and social care workers

  • Public safety (emergency workers) and national security workers

  • Local and national government workers

  • Education and childcare workers

  • Food and other necessary goods

  • Transport

  • Utilities, communication and financial services workers

  • Key public service workers

If you go the UK self-referral website there is currently a problem.

It should send you to a Wales-specific website, just as it does for people in Scotland. They too are told to apply through their employers.

At the moment it simply says tests are "unavailable" in Wales. This is not correct. There's work going on by the Welsh and UK Governments to fix it and provide a link to the system here.

Credit: UK Government

It is correct to say that there's not a similar self-referral online booking system for key workers here in Wales.

Instead, as set out above your employer refers you either to an online booking system or the current manual system.

Taking the test

The antigen test look for the presence of the virus and involves taking a single dry swap from the back of the throat.

The test is then taken away and processed Public Health Wales laboratories.

Results are sent via text message to the individual who has been tested. Employers will receive email confirmation that the result has been sent.

In the event of a positive result you and your household must isolate at home.

The Welsh Government is planning on introducing home testing and mobile swap units in the near future.