The US government website set up for people in the US to be able to order free COVID-19 tests was scheduled to launch on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, but it is up one day early today as part of a “beta-phase” according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki. The official launch is expected to happen tomorrow around mid-morning. Tests are available for every residential address in the US.
According to the federal government’s COVID test website, the tests are rapid antigen at-home tests (not PCR) and can be taken anywhere. You get results within 30 minutes and you don’t have to drop it off at a lab. It works whether you have COVID-19 symptoms or not and it works whether or not you are up to date on your vaccines. The FAQ available on the COVID-19 test site gives more information, including when you should use the tests.
To get 4 free at-home COVID-19 Tests mailed to you:
- Go to https://www.covidtests.gov/
- Press the “Order Free At-Home Tests” Button – this will redirect you to the USPS website
- Fill out Contact Information and Shipping Address and press the “Check Out Now” button
- Review your order to make sure everything is correct and then press “Place My Order”
After placing order, you will be redirected to a page that says Thank You and gives you an order number. If you gave an email address, you’ll get an order confirmation and delivery updates. Since it is still in a beta-phase if you run into any problems you can check back tomorrow according to the COVID-19 tests website.