Should I stay home while waiting for my PCR test results?

Whether or not you stay home depends on the reason you’re getting tested. 

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to it, you should stay home and avoid others to prevent potentially spreading it. Let other members of your household and your immediate contacts know that they should quarantine or get tested. Continue to watch for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on what to do if you’re sick.

Specifically, you can follow these steps while waiting for your test results:

• Stay home and monitor your health
• Review locations and people you’ve been in contact with in the past two weeks 
• Answer the phone call from the health department 

If you get tested regularly for work, school, or any other reason, be sure to follow protocols and recommendations set forth by your employer, school, or health department, as these may differ from the CDC’s guidelines.