Just in time for cooler weather and the upcoming busy holiday season, the U.S. government has reopened its free COVID tests online ordering program.

After previously ending the program in March 2024—and following a summer surge of COVID cases—the program was reopened on Sept. 26, 2024, and tests are expected to start shipping on Sept. 30.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services encourages testing in an effort to avoid spreading COVID-19 to others and to decide what kind of treatment care you need if you test positive.

Not sure what to do after a positive or negative test? The CDC offers a COVID test guide to help people make decisions based on their test results.

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How To Order Free COVID Tests

To place an order for the free rapid antigen COVID-19 tests, go to COVIDTests.gov. The website provides a link to the order form via the USPS website, answers to frequently asked questions, and information on checking to see if currently expired COVID tests are still good to use.

Orders can also be placed over the phone at 1-800-232-0233.

The only information required for the online order form is name, email (if you want shipping notifications for your order), and a shipping address.

At this time, there is a limit of one order (containing four tests) per address, regardless of household size.

Is There Any Cost for the Tests?

COVID tests ordered via the USPS form do not have a cost–shipping is also free.

If you need an at-home COVID test now, many retailers carry them in stores. However, insurance companies are no longer required to cover the costs of these tests.

What Are Common COVID Symptoms?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, common symptoms associated with COVID-19 include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • A new loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or a runny nose
  • Diarrhea
  • Tiredness
  • Headache

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Originally Published: September 27, 2024