Need a COVID test? Here's how to get one sent to your house for free through USPS
No need to keep calling or visiting every local pharmacy and retail store that carries rapid COVID-19 home test kits in search of the highly sought after, but hard to find tests.
More: Where can you find a rapid COVID test? We took one hour to find one
Now, every residential household in the United States can order one set of four free at-home tests from USPS.com.
Here's what you need to do to get your tests:
Limit of one order per residential address
One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
Orders will ship free starting in late January
This effort to get home-test kits to every American in need is part of President Joe Biden's initiative announced recently where residents can order up to four at-home rapid tests per month by visiting COVIDtests.gov, which is also through the USPS.
Biden's initiative provides 1 billion at-home COVID-19 tests to be made available for residents and mailed to homes within seven to 12 days through the postal service.
The administration has partnered with USPS to package and deliver tests to Americans who want them. All orders in the continental U.S. will be sent through First-Class Package Service, with shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. Territories addresses sent through Priority Mail, a news release from the White House noted.
"Testing is an important tool to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 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," a White House news release noted.
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According to the White House, the administration is taking steps to make sure hardest-hit and highest-risk communities are reached.
That means:
Prioritizing processing orders to households experiencing the highest social vulnerability and in communities that have experienced a disproportionate share of COVID-19 cases and deaths, particularly during the omicron surge.
Launching a free call line, so that Americans who have difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support can phone-in orders for their tests.
Working with national and local organizations with deep experience serving communities of color, people living with disabilities and other high-risk communities.
In addition, the Biden administration also announced it would begin requiring insurance companies and group health plans to cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests. Those with private health insurance or group health plans who buy FDA authorized over-the-counter COVID tests will have the cost of the tests covered.
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Jill Doss-Raines is The Dispatch trending topics and personality profiles senior reporter and is always looking for tips about businesses and entertainment events, secret and new menu items, and interesting people in Davidson County. Contact me at jill.doss-raines@the-dispatch.com and subscribe to us at the-dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Dispatch: Here's how to get free, at-home COVID tests through USPS
