Can’t find a COVID test anywhere in stores? Don’t want to wait outside in an hours-long line just to take a test and possibly even get COVID while you’re there in the process?
Well, now you can get free COVID tests delivered right to your door (if you’re in the U.S.)!
Here’s how.
The United States Postal Service has just launched a website where you can sign up for four free individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.
Simply go to http://www.usps.com/covidtests or https://special.usps.com/testkits.
Fill out your name, address (for delivery), and email (for delivery updates), and click the green “Check Out Now” button.
The USPS form for free COVID tests is super quick and easy to fill out.
Credit: Mashable Screenshot
And that’s it! You’ll be sent to a page with your confirmation order, and the USPS will send you an order of four COVID tests for absolutely free by late January. The order will shipped within seven to 12 days. You can signup for one order of four tests per household.
And if you order now, you’ll likely get your order in ahead of most people, too. The U.S. government’s official website for this program, COVIDtests.gov, originally slated signups to begin on Wednesday, January 19. But, the USPS site went up early, and you can sign up now.
Do note that there have been a few scattered complaints on social media regarding issues signing up for a test if you’re in an apartment building. It appears the USPS’ system is not recognizing each apartment as a separate unit. If you run into a problem though, try again as other apartment building tenants have said they have had no issues ordering a test for their apartment number.
Another issue has been reported from those who live in apartments connected to commercial buildings. According to the USPS, program is only for residential addresses.
Mashable will update this piece if and when the issue is fixed for those affected. We have reached out to the USPS for comment.
The Biden administration finalized the program earlier this month with the USPS to deliver 500 million free at-home COVID tests as part of the government’s response to the spreading omicron variant of the virus.
The program appears to be a welcomed change in the White House’s original position.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki went viral and was roundly criticized on social media last month when she sarcastically brought up the idea of sending every American a free COVID test when answering a question from a reporter. (Perhaps this is proof that pressuring politicians on social media sometimes does work!)
Hopefully, the free tests help curb the raging Omicron variant as the U.S. prepares to enter its third year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
