COVID Testing For Events: When Is the Best Time to Do It?
Written by Leslie K. Hughes
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Monique White-Dominguez
With spring upon us and festival season in full swing, chances are that you have your calendar booked with some events you absolutely don’t want to miss.
It’s been a couple of years since you’ve been able to wear those festival outfits and dance your heart out in a crowd of thousands, and as a result, the 2022 festivals are slated to be more exciting than ever before.
Even if you’re not heading to a festival, you’ve likely got a large event on your spring calendar that you’re looking forward to.
However, it’s important to note that while COVID is more under control than it has been in the past couple of years, it still exists. Thus, it’s important that you continue to be as cautious as you can be, while still allowing yourself to have some fun.
So, you’re probably wondering whether it’s better to get tested for COVID before your festival/event, after, or both – and why.
As the leaders in COVID testing in the country, Sameday Health is here to give you the answers you’re looking for so that you can dance your heart out and not risk your health, or the health of your fellow festival-goers.
When should I get a COVID-19 test?
Before
If you are planning to attend a festival or event this year, you should get tested for COVID prior to the event. Even if it’s a smaller event, it’s better to err on the safe side and not risk spreading the virus if you have it.
Testing beforehand ensures that you aren’t infected with COVID and that you won’t be giving it to people you’re around. This applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
Though some festivals are not requiring vaccination, testing, or masking for the event, it is in your best interest and the best interest of others to get tested beforehand to keep the weekend fun and safe for everyone.
It’s best to get tested 24-48 hours prior to the event so you limit potential exposure between the test and the event. Sameday Health offers 90-minute PCR tests, which is ideal for a festival situation. This gives you quick and reliable testing with results in just 90 minutes.
After
Once you’ve attended the festival or event and the hangover has set in, give yourself a couple of days to see how you feel.
If you were around someone who tested positive, then you absolutely need to get a COVID test yourself. It is possible to have COVID and be asymptomatic, so if there is known exposure, be safe and get tested.
However, it is always a good idea to err on the safe side and get tested following an event where you were in a large crowd, regardless of symptoms or whether someone you were with tested positive.
Keep in mind that it can sometimes take a couple of tests to ensure that enough time has passed between exposure and accurate test results. You need to have a big enough COVID viral load for it to register as positive on the test.
So, if you were around someone who tested positive and your first test comes back negative, wait a couple of days and get tested again.
If you start to notice symptoms coming on, then that’s a sure sign get tested immediately.
Some of the key COVID symptoms to look out for include:
Fever
Chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle aches
Body aches
Headache
Loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
If you think you may have COVID, get tested to verify, and be sure to isolate until you get your results.
What are the COVID isolation guidelines?
As of December 2021, the CDC updated its isolation guidelines to state that people who have tested positive for COVID should isolate for 5 days. If, after those 5 days your symptoms are improving or you are no longer showing symptoms, you can leave isolation, but still need to wear a mask for the next 5 days whenever around other people.
