How to Get a Drive-Through COVID Test in Observatory

Learn More About Our Easy, Safe & Gentle Tests

No Doctor Referral Required

Free Rescheduling & Cancellation

Results in 24-36hrs & Just R500 All Inclusive

Free PCR Travel/Medical Results Certificate With Each Test

Test From the Safety of Your Vehicle or In Our State-of-the-Art COVID-19 Testing Tent

A Proud National Laboratory Emirates & Ethiopian Airlines Partner

Bookings

Schedule your visit easily: choose the location, time, and date for instant confirmation.

Shop

Choose our at-home lab tests for health monitoring; each kit comes with instructions for ease.

Research

Explore Epicentre’s research services: insights into trials & health innovations shaping the future.

Results

Log into Epicentre’s records application to view reports of your test results.

Book a test with experts
Observatory, Cape Town

For directions to Epicentre Rondebosch, click here:

Hillcrest, Durban

For directions to Epicentre Hillcrest, click here:

Randburg, Johannesburg

For directions to Epicentre Randburg, click here:

Book with Epicentre

For 20 years Epicentre has been fighting South African’s infectious diseases, and now we’re taking on COVID-19! We are a company founded on a vision, ending disease in South Africa! So we believe in making an IMPACT.

We are an independent organization that is committed to creating a positive impact on health & wellness for all in South Africa. We want to close the gap between unscreened, undiagnosed, and uncontrolled HIV & COVID-19 infections as well as other chronic diseases for all South Africans.

By booking your tests with Epicentre, you are supporting a real local company that has worked for 20 years in all 9 provinces, from Pollsmoor prison to Constantia; & you’re getting a gold standard service that experts trust!

Our Popular Packages

  • Menopause Package

    Includes: FSH, LH, Oestradiol

    Lab results in 48-72hrs - No referral required

  • Women’s Fertility Package

    Includes: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, Serum Progesterone, Prolactin

    Lab results in 48-72hrs - No referral required

  • HPV Screening Package

    Includes: HPV Test

    Lab results in 48-72hrs - No referral required

  • STI Screening Package

    Includes: RPR, Chlamydia, HIV Screening Antibody (AB), HBsAg, Herpes IgG + IGM

    Lab results in 48-72hrs - No referral required

Hillcrest testing locations

031 880 2150

sales@epicentre.org.za

Mon – Fri (08:30 to 16:00)

Cape Town testing locations

021 201 1658

salescpt@epicentre.org.za

Mon – Fri (08:30 to 16:00)

Johannesburg testing locations

082 065 2172

salesjhb@epicentre.org.za

Mon – Fri (08:30 to 16:00)

WhatsApp/ Emergency contact Number

072 843 7564

sales@epicentre.org.za

Mon – Fri (08:30 to 16:00)

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


Get a COVID-19 Antigen & PCR test if:

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.

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, we are closed.

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