How to get free COVID-19 tests through government website

Beginning Wednesday, free at-home rapid COVID tests will be available to order through a government website.

Here is a breakdown of what to expect:

When can you order and how?

The new federal website to order the free test kits is scheduled to launch Wednesday.

The free tests can be ordered at covidtests.gov.

According to the website, “every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.”

The White House said there will be a four-test limit on website orders which will be applied to each residential address and will apply to the first tranche of 500 million tests. It estimates that the cost of purchasing and distributing the first block of tests at $4 billion.

What if I don’t have access to the website?

The White House said it will launch a call line through which people who don’t have access to the website can order the tests. A phone number was not available on Tuesday morning.

How will they be delivered?

The Biden administration said it is working with the United States Postal Service to “package and deliver” the test kits to those who order them.

“All orders in the continental United States will be sent through First Class Package Service, with shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. Territories and APO/FPO/DPO addresses sent through Priority Mail,” the White House said.

Who can order the tests?

The free tests are available to “every household.”

Which home test will I get?

The White House said Friday that 420 million tests were under contract and that it will continue awarding contracts to additional manufacturers in the future.

Are there other ways to get an at-home COVID-19 test

Officials emphasized that the federal website is just one way for people to procure COVID-19 tests. Starting on Saturday, private insurance companies will be required to cover the cost of at-home rapid tests, allowing Americans to be reimbursed for tests they purchase at pharmacies and online retailers. That covers up to eight tests per month.

When should I test for COVID?

According to the CDC, anyone who may have been exposed to someone with COVID should test five days after their exposure, or as soon as symptoms occur.

"If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19," the guidance states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at-home testing when experiencing COVID-19 symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, respiratory symptoms and muscle aches, five days after a potential COVID-19 exposure, or as part of test-to-stay protocols in schools and workplaces.