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How to Find our Randburg Branch
Our COVID-19 Drive-Through Randburg branch is our JHB head branch in the thriving suburb of Parkview.
Which Test Should I Get?
Having a COVID-19 PCR test is helpful if:
1. You are looking to get a test done for an official purpose
Such as leaving the country
Entering a nursing home
Having a medical procedure
Or needing to get on an international flight
Want more information on international travel regulations?
2. You have been exposed to COVID-19 at least 5 or more days ago
3. You have been exposed to COVID-19 and started symptoms
4. You are showing COVID-19 like symptoms without a known exposure
Get a COVID-19 PCR Home test if
You are unable to come to our drive-through location
Due to frailty, young children or condition
However, we highly recommend our drive through testing due to its ease of use and competitive price
If you urgently need to know your infection status, and you were exposed to COVID-19
But you have not yet started COVID-19 symptoms
Or you started symptoms more than 3 days ago
Some countries require both a COVID-19 Antigen test and PCR test always check our travel regulations page and double check with your airline what is needed for your destination country.
Get only an COVID-19 Antigen test if:
You have recently started symptoms of COVID-19 (1-3 days) and want a quick infection check that can be used in conjunction with our certificate for official purposes (when antigen tests are permitted to be used).
Your doctor thinks you may have the novel coronavirus and have recently started (1-3 days) symptoms and recommends a quick unofficial purpose infection check
You have been in close contact with an individual suspected of or confirmed to have COVID-19 between 5-7 days ago, and you want to have a quick test done to check your status.
Get a Rapid COVID Antibody test if:
You had symptoms of COVID-19 in the past but weren’t tested.
Your doctor thinks you may have the novel coronavirus and started symptoms more than 3 days ago. But keep in mind:
– Rapid COVID Antibody tests are less sensitive to picking up current infections
– Rapid COVID Antibody tests predominately cannot be used for official purposes
– You have recovered from COVID-19 & want to check your immunity status
When should you get a COVID-19 PCR test?
Here are some handy tips for timing your test just right:
At Epicentre, we have 2 collection times on Monday to Friday. Our first collection is at 11am and our second collection time is at 4pm.
During the weekend, it is dependent on our testing sites opening times
In Rondebosch we are open on Saturday till 12pm that means that we only have 1 sample collection at 12pm which is why we cannot accept new orders after this time.
This branch is closed on the weekends.
If you are looking to get your result within the 24hr window or less you should come before our 11am sample collection as it will be processed at the lab sooner.
This is recommended for those getting a test done for an official purpose, such as travelling or medical appointments
If you are looking to avoid any waiting times, we recommend avoiding peak times such as 8-9am or during our nurses’ lunch break from 11:45am to 12:30pm
A personal recommendation for those travelling is to come at 10am