Here's how to order 4 free covid tests at home

Washington – Americans can once again order a Covid-19 test, at no charge, sent directly to their home.

The US government relaunched the program on Thursday, allowing any household to order up to four home Covid nasal swab kits through the covidtest.gov website. Tests will begin shipping via the US Postal Service as soon as next week.

How to Order 4 Free COVID Tests at Home

• Enter your name and address

• Click “Check Out Now”.

“Before you go out with your family and friends this holiday season, get a quick test and help keep them safe from COVID-19,” Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Don O'Connell said in a statement.

Why is the test being given now?

The website reopened on the heels of the summer COVID-19 virus wave and heading into fall and winter respiratory virus season, health officials are urging Americans to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine and their annual flu shot.

US regulators have approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine designed to fight the latest strains of the virus and, they hope, the coming winter as well. However, vaccine uptake is declining. Most Americans have some immunity from previous infections or vaccinations, but less than a quarter of US adults received the Covid-19 shot last fall.

By using swabs, people can detect current virus strains before the fall and winter respiratory virus season and the holidays. Over-the-counter COVID-19 home tests typically cost about $11 as of last year. Insurers no longer have to bear the cost of testing.

I have old tests that are past their expiration date. Can I still use them?

If you already have a home COVID-19 test, check the expiration date in the box. Many tests have extended expiration dates from the dates listed in the box. You can check the Food and Drug Administration website to see if it's available for your remaining tests at home.

Are these tests really free?

There is no cost to families requesting testing, but U.S. taxpayers already pay a significant amount for the testing program.

Since the first outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, the US government has poured billions of dollars into developing and purchasing vaccines as well as testing for COVID-19. The Biden administration has given out 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, half of which have been distributed to households by mail. It is not clear how many tests the government still has.