Free COVID-19 Test Kits Can Be Ordered Online for the Second Time Around: Here's How to Get Yours
Free COVID-19 tests are once again available for online order and can be shipped straight to the residence of those people who availed of the tests.
U.S. President Joe Biden's administration's program for testing started in December and is being continued through a partnership with the U.S. Postal Service, according to an NBC News report.
Households that already received a pack of free COVID-19 tests can request once again for a new one from the site after Biden announced last week during his State of the Union Address the additional free tests.
Biden said that people can order more rapid COVID-19 antigen tests starting next week even if they already got their first batch of free tests.
The president urged people to have COVID-19 tests on hand so that "we're prepared no matter what COVID-19 brings."
READ NEXT: CDC New COVID-19 Guidance Drops Mask Recommendation for More Than 90 Percent of American Population
Free COVID-19 Tests
More than half of U.S. households ordered tests in January and February.
White House testing coordinator Tom Inglesby said that they set up the testing program to make sure that every household who wanted tests could get them before they made a second-round available, according to an NPR report.
The free tests program started when cases saw an uptick with the surge of the Omicron variant across states.
The health problem was amplified when tests were lacking accessibility and availability to people who need them.
Biden administration then committed to procuring one billion COVID-19 tests for distribution.
Another reason that the federal government is purchasing COVID-19 tests is to keep the testing infrastructure strong.
The White House has requested $22.5 billion in additional funding from Congress, which would partly go to the purchase of rapid tests.
The budget is also being eyed for use to keep the testing industry viable and fill the nation's reserves.
Getting Free COVID-19 Tests
For those who want to get their second order of COVID-19 tests, visit the USPS website and have the contact information details and shipping details filled out.
If you have never placed an order before, you will have to place two separate orders. Households will not be able to get eight tests in a single package and will likely have to go through the ordering process twice, according to The Verge report.
However, the USPS does not list a specific date when the second round of tests will be available.
People who cannot access the website or have problems placing their orders online can call a hotline, 1-800-232-0233, to order their free tests.
Those who ordered their COVID-19 test kits should receive a confirmation email, according to a CNET report.
Email notifications will also be sent regarding the shipping updates covering a tracking number, as well as an estimated delivery date.
There is not an option to choose which brand of tests households can avail of. All tests will be at-home rapid antigen tests, which are authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.
Some households that placed their order reported that adding an apartment number in the main address line, instead of in the section for apartment number, allowed them to order.
READ MORE: CDC Recommends Shorter COVID Isolation Period for Health Care Workers Amid Omicron Variant
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Mary Webber
WATCH: Order a second round of free at-home COVID-19 tests - from 11Alive
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!