This guidance is for all care homes who are receiving lateral flow device (LFD) test kits. LFD can be used for visitor testing, including visiting professionals who are not part of a regular testing programme.
The guidance focuses on information about preparing the home for visitor testing and how to use the new test kits to test for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Visitors will need to be prepared to:
- consent to testing and sharing results
- register their own test kit result online, or agree to share personal information if you support them with registration
- complete a self-administered throat and nasal swab
- prepare to wait 30 minutes for a result before visiting
- wear PPE during testing and, if their test result is negative, during their visit
- follow all other IPC protocols and safety requirements during the visit
- complete a confirmatory PCR test if LFD test is positive