At-home COVID testing will be the new normal

Contributed By:The 411 News

COVIDtests.gov, the new federal website to request free test kits launches Wednesday, January 19th, with the first shipments going out to Americans by the end of the month. President Joe Biden’s promise to make 500 million rapid COVID test kits available to the U.S. public has been increased to 1 billion.

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days and delivered by mail carriers.

The kits are rapid antigen at-home tests – not PCR – that can be taken anywhere. Results are returned within 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required). They work whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms.

Rapid tests work whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. The tests are also referred to as self-tests or over-the-counter (OTC) tests.

Who can order tests as part of this program?
Tests are available for every residential address in the U.S., including U.S. Territories and overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO).

How can you order tests and when?
Tests can be ordered online at COVIDtests.gov. Tests will usually ship within 7-12 days of ordering.
To place an order, all you need is your name and residential address. No ID, credit card, or health insurance information is required. You may also share your email address to get updates on your order.

Is there a limit to how many tests I can order?
Yes. To promote broad access, the initial program will only allow #44 free individual tests per residential address.

Can I order more tests if I live in a large or multigenerational household?
No. To promote broad access, the initial program will only allow #44 free individual tests per residential address.
There are numerous other options to get tested for free, including over 20,000 free testing sites across the country. If you have health insurance, your insurance will also cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home tests (up to 8 at-home tests per month for each person on your plan).

Can Americans living outside of the U.S. request these free tests?
Tests are available for every residential address in the U.S., including U.S. Territories and overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO).

Can I choose what type or brand of test I get?
All tests distributed as part of this program are FDA-authorized at-home rapid antigen tests. You will not be able to choose the brand you order as part of this program.

When will I get my tests and how will they be delivered?
These tests will be delivered in the mail through the U.S. Postal Service. Tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering.
All orders within the continental United States will be sent through First Class Package Service. Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories, and overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO) will be sent through Priority Mail.

Will I be able to track when my order status?
Yes. There is an option for you to provide an email address to receive email notifications with shipping updates.
Once your order is shipped, you will receive an email with an estimated delivery date and a tracking number. You can track the status of your delivery on USPS.com.

All orders within the continental United States will be sent through First Class Package Service. Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories, and overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO) will be sent through Priority Mail.

Can I pick up my tests somewhere or have them held at my local Post Office instead of getting them shipped to my home?
No. This program is designed to send free tests to your home through the mail.

Who do I contact if I ordered my tests but they have not been delivered?
To get help with a delivery issue, please contact USPS.

Will my tests come with instructions on how to use them?
Yes. Tests will have instructions on how to use them.

When should I use my tests? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you take an at-home test:
• If you begin having COVID-19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
• At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-⁠19, or
• When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-⁠19 vaccines.

For more on when to use at-home tests, see the latest CDC self-testing guidance at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/self-testing.html

Story Posted:01/18/2022