Government relaunches free COVID-19 tests website, here’s how to book | Details
Biden administration is taking proactive steps to ensure that Americans have access to free at-home COVID-19 tests. The government has allocated $600 million in funding to produce new at-home tests and has relaunched the website, allowing households to order up to four free tests.
Ordering Free COVID-19 Tests
Starting September 25th, Americans can visit COVIDTests.gov to place their orders for up to four free COVID-19 tests per household. The United States Postal Service (USPS) will facilitate the delivery of these tests, with shipments expected to commence the week of October 2nd.
Reliable Testing for Current Variants
These tests are designed to detect the current circulating variants of COVID-19, providing households with a reliable means of monitoring their health. While some tests may display «expired» dates on the packaging, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended certain expiration dates. Detailed instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates will be provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Website Open Through the Holidays
The duration of this testing program remains uncertain, but Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS, has stated that the website will continue to accept orders through the holidays. She emphasized, «We reserve the right to keep it open even longer if we're starting to see an increase in cases.»
A Replenished Stockpile
This marks the fifth round of free COVID-19 tests distributed to households across the nation, totaling more than 755 million tests since the program's inception. The initiative was temporarily suspended in May to ensure an adequate supply, but Health Secretary Xavier Becerra assures that the stockpile
