Originally Posted by
jsnydcsa
PCR sample is gathered at testing site and then tested at a lab. You cannot gather the sample at "home" and take it somewhere to be tested. It's either gathered at testing site (e.g. an airport location, physicians office, Mediclinic, etc.) then either tested at the same location (if it has a lab) or an off site lab.
There are several providers that send at-home collection kits. The customer initiates a video session by which the provider proctors the self-collection. The customer then sends the sample to the provider's lab, typically by overnight service using a provided package. The provider then runs the PCR test and notifies the customer of the result. I considered using such a service for my upcoming trip to South Africa, but because I'm stopping overnight en route and needed the test to serve for both, I didn't have time and had to go to a place with an on-site lab.