When should I be tested for COVID-19 Coronavirus?

Current advice for testing depends on the stage of the outbreak in the country or area where you live. Countries might be at different stages of the epidemic, and the approach to testing may differ according to country policy. This is adapted to the situation at local and national level. 

If you live in a country or area where there has been no or very limited transmission, ECDC advice is that you should be tested if you have:

Acute respiratory tract infection (sudden onset of at least one of the following: cough, fever, shortness of breath) AND with no other no other cause that fully explains your illness AND with a history of travel or residence in a country/area reporting local or community transmission* during the 14 days prior to symptom onset;  OR 

Any acute respiratory illness AND having been in close contact with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case in the last 14 days prior to onset of symptoms;  OR

Severe acute respiratory infection (fever and at least one sign/symptom of respiratory disease (e.g., cough, fever, shortness breath)) AND requiring hospitalisation AND doctors can find no other cause that fully explains your illness. 

* Community transmission is said to be taking place if it is not known where a large proportion of those who have confirmed infection contracted the virus (e.g. they have not knowingly been in contact with another confirmed case, or travelled to an affected area).

If you live in a country or area where community transmission is known to be ongoing, all patients presenting with symptoms of acute respiratory infection in primary care or at their first contact with the healthcare system will be considered as suspected cases and should be tested.

More information is available in the Case definition and European surveillance for COVID-19.

Source : European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control