What You Need to Know About Ordering Your Free At-Home COVID Tests

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Beginning Wednesday, January 19, the federal government will be launching a website allowing for free distribution of at-home COVID-19 tests.
As the omicron variant rapidly spreads across the country, the federal government will be giving away half a billion at-home COVID tests for free – and, as of January 15, private health insurance companies will be required to cover eight at-home COVID-19 tests per individual.
“Testing is an important tool to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” the White House said in a statement. “Public health experts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that Americans use at-home tests if they begin to have symptoms, at least five days after coming in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or are gathering indoors with a group of people who are at risk of severe disease or unvaccinated.”
So, how do you get your free at-home COVID test and how many can you order? Each household will be able to order FOUR free at-home COVID tests beginning January 19 by visiting www.covidtests.gov. There will be no shipping charges and no credit card details will be asked for. You will be able to provide an email address if you want to track the shipment of your tests. Tests will typically be shipped within 7 – 12 days of ordering and will be delivered via USPS.
For those with no internet access, a phone line will be established to allow people to call in their order.
“We’re taking a number of steps to ensure this program reaches our hardest-hit and highest-risk communities,” one senior administration official said in a statement reported by TODAY. “This includes working with national and local organizations with deep experience serving communities of color, people with disabilities, and other high-risk communities to serve as navigators who will raise awareness about this program and help people submit their requests for tests.”

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