Lateral flow testing programmes

About lateral flow tests

Lateral flow tests (LFT) are a fast, simple and effective way to test people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19, but who may still be spreading the virus.

It's a good idea to perform a rapid test twice a week (every 3 to 4 days) to check if you have the virus. If people test positive and self-isolate, it helps to stop the virus spreading.

People who are identified as Direct Contacts should do an LFT test every day for 10 days after being identified as a Direct Contact.

It's OK to take a rapid test at particular times like before visiting an elderly or vulnerable friend or relative, or if you are planning to spend time with others in a group outside your household.

You can do regular rapid lateral flow tests if you do not have symptoms of COVID-19.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you need to book a PCR test.

Home testing

Who can take part 

Islanders can register to receive LFT kits at home for twice weekly self-swabbing. Each member of a household must register as an individual to receive their own kit. Kits should not be shared among people who are not registered.  

You'll be sent an email with a unique code to log in and submit results (positive and negative) on the portal. Kits will be delivered within a week of registering by Jersey Post.

Children and young people should use the home testing programme. If you previously registered with the school testing programme and you're running low on LFT kits, you should registered for home testing. 

Register for home testing

Submit your test result

Results will be invalid if read after the 15 minute window. The results should still be inputted to ensure there is record of how many tests you are using.   

You should submit your results after every test taken, at least twice a week. You’ll need the cartridge number written on the test device to input into the portal. 

The results get automatically uploaded to our public health system. The Contact Tracing Team is alerted when there is a positive result.

Keeping a stock of test kits

Your LFT kit will be sent to your registered address (either workplace or home). You will receive enough kits to test yourself twice a week. Those registering for workplace testing will receive enough stock for two weeks and this will be automatically replenished. Those registering to test at home, will receive enough stock for 3 months.

You should record all your test results, including those that are inconclusive or not used, then the system will automatically identify when you need more tests.

Workplace testing

Login for existing workplace users

Login to manage your workplace information or upload test results.

Login for existing users

Who can take part

Your workplace or business will need to decide if they want to take part in the lateral flow testing scheme. The scheme is voluntary for businesses and employees.

You should not use a lateral flow test if you have any coronavirus symptoms.

You should still take part in the programme even if you're vaccinated.

How to register your business or workplace

You need to register your workplace to take part in the lateral flow testing programme.

To sign up you'll need:

• a nominated person to input business information and employee names
• business name
• business address, email and contact number
• names of employees taking part
• total number of employees taking part
  

Terms and conditions

Once you've registered, we'll send you a unique workplace code.

Tell your employees taking part in the programme that they will need to register using the unique workplace code.

The primary contact for your business will need to approve each employee that signs up to confirm they work at your business.

Employee sign up

You'll only need to sign up once to confirm your name and the place you work.

You'll need your unique workplace code to confirm where you work. Your employer should send this code to you once they've registered.

Employee sign up

How often you should test

It is recommended that employers offer their on-site workforce access to a minimum of 1 lateral flow tests every week. This will help identify staff who are carrying the virus without displaying symptoms, reducing the risk of transmission.

For example, if you have 10 employees you will be sent 40 tests to last one month.

Tests must be taken in the workplace

Employees must take the lateral flow test in the workplace, preferably with another employee supervising to make sure they are following the test kit instructions.

If an employee tests positive

If an employee has a positive result they need to be sent home immediately to isolate away from other family members, if this is not possible then the household must also isolate.

The employee will need to book a PCR test and remain in isolation until the PCR result is received. Once the positive result has been added the Covid Safe tracing process will follow.

If the result is negative, they may return to work. If it is positive they will need to complete the required isolation period.

A deep clean of areas where the employee has been working should be undertaken immediately to reduce the risk to other members of staff this should also include touch points and shared areas. You should review your COVID risk assessment.

If it any point your business would like a COVID assessment someone from the COVID Support Team will visit your premises and provide you with advice, they can also provide training on how to clean.

Submit your test result

Results will be invalid if read after the 15-minute window. The results should still be inputted to ensure there is record of how many tests you are using.   

Tests should be recorded twice weekly for each employee signed up for the programme.

You'll need the cartridge number on each test device referenced against each employee.

The results get automatically uploaded to our public health system. The Contact Tracing Team is alerted when there is a positive result.

Submit your test result

School testing 

Children and young people are now included on the home testing programme.

Students and staff are encouraged to use a lateral flow test twice a week at home. The kit contains 25 lateral flow tests, which will cover 12 weeks.

If you have symptoms you should book in for PCR test.

Direct contacts at school

If a child is identified as a direct contact at school, college or nursery, they do not need to take a PCR test but should perform an LFT test at home each day for the next 10 days. 

Children under 3 years old, in nursery settings, should only take 5 LFT tests over a 10 day period.

Parents and guardians will be notified that their child is a direct contact by their school, college or nursery.

Unless they have already done so, children, or parents and guardians of children, who are identified as direct contacts in school should register under the schools LFT programme and use the 8 digit code to report their results.

Direct contacts (not including school children)

If you are identified as a direct contact:

1. the contact tracing will contact you and book you in for a PCR test
   
2. when you go to your PCR test, you will be given a pack of rapid lateral flow tests to take home. You'll be given enough tests for 10 days after you've been identified as a direct contact
   
3. take a lateral flow test every day for 10 days
   
4. submit each test result
   

You'll need the following to submit your test result:

• your unique case reference number (this is a 6 character code send to your email or by text message to your phone)
• cartridge number of your lateral flow test
  

How to take the test

Taking a lateral flow test involves taking a sample from the nostrils using a swab.

We use two types of test kits:

• SureScreen
  
• Innova
  

SureScreen kit

Prepare your test

1. first, wash your hands and blow your nose
2. wash your hands again or use hand sanitiser
3. place the extraction tube in a small cup to keep it upright
4. twist the tip off the small liquid vial
   
5. gently tip all the liquid from the small vial into the tube. Ignore the red lids, these are not needed.
   

Take your test

1. identify the soft fabric trip of the swab wrapper, open and remove the swab. Do not touch the soft fabric tip
2. put the soft fabric tip gently into once nostril, about 1 inch up. You may feel some resistance. Roll the swab 10 times slowly along the inside of the nostril. Remove the swab and repeat 10 times in the other nostril with the same swab tip
3. put the soft fabric tip into the bottom of the extraction tube. Press the swab tip against the edge of the tube while gently squeezing the extraction tube to keep it secure. Rotate the swab around the tube for 10 seconds to squeeze as much fluid out as possible from the swab tip
4. slightly lift the swab and snap it at the break point. Leave the swab head inside the tube. Dispose of the handle
   
5. place the lid securely onto the tube
   
6. turn the extraction tube upside down and lightly squeeze 3 drops onto the specimen well, into the hole marked with an S
7. place the specimen well onto a flat surface and make a note of the time
8. after 10 to 15 minutes, read your results and throw the specimen well away. Results after this time will be invalid

Print version of SureScreen step by step guide

Step by step guide Portuguese

Step by step guide Polish

Innova kit

Prepare your test

1. first, wash your hands and blow your nose
2. wash your hands again or use hand sanitiser
3. place the extraction tube in a small cup to keep it upright
4. twist the small top cap of the extraction buffer pot. Do not unscrew the bigger lid as you will not be able to use it as a dropper
5. place 6 drops only of the extraction buffer into the extraction tube. Avoid touching the extraction tube with the extraction buffer. Reseal the extraction buffer for future use

Take your test

1. identify the soft fabric trip of the swab wrapper, open and remove the swab. Do not touch the soft fabric tip
2. put the soft fabric tip gently into once nostril, about 1 inch up. You may feel some resistance. Roll the swab 10 times slowly along the inside of the nostril. Remove the swab and repeat 10 times in the other nostril with the same swab tip
3. put the soft fabric tip into the bottom of the extraction tube. Press the swab tip against the edge of the tube while gently squeezing the extraction tube to keep it secure. Rotate the swab around the tube for 10 seconds to squeeze as much fluid out as possible from the swab tip
4. remove the swab from the tube while squeezing the tube to remove as much fluid as possible from the swab tip. Place the swab back into the wrapper and dispose in general rubbish
   
5. press the nozzle cap tightly onto the extraction tube to avoid any leaks
6. turn the extraction tube upside down and lightly squeeze two drops onto the specimen well, into the hole marked with an S
7. place the specimen well onto a flat surface and make a note of the time
8. after 20 to 30 minutes, read your results and throw the specimen well away. Results after this time will be invalid
   

Print version of Innova step by step guide

Test results

​Result	Image of test	​What you need to do​
​Negative	​One line next to C shows the test is negative	​A negative result means that active coronavirus infection was not detected, at the time of the test. However, this does not guarantee that you do not have coronavirus. Continue to follow guidance, including regular hand washing, distancing and wearing a mask.
​Positive	​Two lines, one next to C and one next to T, even faint lines, shows the test is positive	​You must call the helpline to report your positive result and arrange a confirmatory PCR test within 24 hours. You must isolate.
​Void	​No lines, or one line next to T, means the test is void	​You will need to re-take with a fresh test kit.

Print version of your results guide

Print version of your results guide Polish

Print version of your results guide Portuguese

Dispose of used tests

Any positive material should be double bagged in standard waste disposal.

Any negative, void or unused test should be put in standard waste disposal.

How to use a lateral flow test on a child 

Tips for taking a sample from a child

• talk through the steps with your child. Explain what you are going to do before you swab their nose
• remain calm and confident as you go through the process. This will help the child to stay calm too
• it may be helpful to give them a distraction while you conduct the test or make it into a game
  
• if possible, it may be helpful for another adult to hold the child on their lap during the procedure so that it is easier to perform the test
• your child may have some brief discomfort when the swab touches their nostrils. This is normal for all age groups
• if the child is old enough, explaining the test in terms they can understand might help ease any fear. For example, "you may want to push the swab away, but it is really important that you let me tickle your nose so that we can tell if you might have coronavirus"
  

Prepare the test

• wash your hands
• place the extraction tube in a small cup to keep it upright
• unscrew the small top cap of the extraction buffer pot. Do not unscrew the bigger lid as you will not be able to use it as a dropper
• place 6 drops only of the extraction buffer into the extraction tube
• avoid touching the extraction tube with the extraction buffer. Reseal the extraction buffer for future use
  

Taking a sample from your child

Taking a lateral flow test involves taking a sample from the child's nostrils using a swab.

• follow the main instructions provided in your test kit. These are extra instructions to help you. Use the main instruction set to see what to do before and after swabbing your child
• ask the child to blow their nose into a tissue. This is to get rid of excess mucus. Dispose of the tissue
• identify the soft fabric tip of the swab wrapper, open and remove the swab. Do not touch the soft fabric tip
• put the same end of the swab gently into one of their nostrils, about 1 inch up. You may feel some resistance. Roll the swab 10 times slowly alongside the inside of the child's nostril
• remove the swab and repeat 10 times in the other nostril with the same swab tip
• thank your child for their help
• put the soft fabric tip into the bottom of the extraction tube. Press the swab tip against the edge of the tube while gently squeezing the extraction tube to keep it secure. Rotate the swab around the tube for 10 seconds to squeeze as much fluid out as possible from the swab tip
• remove the swab from the tube while squeezing the tube to remove as much fluid as possible from the swab tip. Place the swab back into the wrapper and dispose in general rubbish
  
• press the nozzle cap tightly onto the extraction tube to avoid any leaks.
• turn the extraction tube upside down and lightly squeeze two drops onto the specimen well, into the hole marked with an 'S'
  
• place the specimen well onto a flat surface and make a note of the time.
• after 20 to 30 minutes, read your results and throw the specimen well away. Results after this time will be invalid
  

Privacy policy

Lateral flow testing privacy policy