If you’re nostalgic for the days when you could order a package of four or eight COVID tests free from the government, we have a holiday surprise for you: The free COVID tests program, which was suspended in August, is back for a limited time—and with fortuitous timing, given rates of seasonal illness are elevated even as COVID remains omnipresent, not to mention the fact that a bunch of at-home tests were just recalled for inaccuracy.
(Yes, I realize this sounds like an underwhelming Christmas special, but that’s just the vibe of our national preventive strategy these days.)
Covidtests.gov is accepting orders now—I just placed mine this morning. Each household can get a package with 4 individual tests. Orders will begin shipping the week of Dec. 19.
If you can’t access the website or if you need extra help, you can also order tests by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) between 8 a.m. and midnight any day of the week. The phone line is available in English, Spanish, and 150 other languages.
The website also reminds you that if you’re ordering more tests because your old ones expired, those expiration dates may have been extended, and you can look yours up here.
As noted, COVID cases are once again on the upswing, and the CDC has recommended that people should probably be wearing masks again in places like New York City and Los Angeles, where transmission of COVID, flu, and RSV are all particularly high. The White House has announced that the free tests are part of a winter preparedness plan. (The plan has major “we’re doing what we can on a limited budget” vibes, like sending a letter to governors suggesting they hold more pop-up vaccine clinics.)
So far there’s no word on whether there might be additional rounds of free tests, so get yours while you can. And then make sure you know how to store your tests properly to make sure they last as long as possible if you aren’t using them right away.