You Only Have 3 Days Left to Request Free COVID-19 Tests

The federal government unveiled its first round of free COVID-19 test kits in January, and a second round followed in March.

In May, the government announced a third and larger round, offering up to eight kits per household instead of just four. The supply seemed endless.

But it appears that’s about to change.

A new banner atop the government’s official webpage for free COVID-19 tests reads:

“Ordering through this program will be suspended on Friday, September 2 because Congress hasn’t provided additional funding to replenish the nation’s stockpile of tests.”

So if you’d like to replenish your household’s supply of free at-home rapid antigen tests, which give results in 30 minutes, now’s the time to request them. As in the past, you can do so by visiting COVID.gov/tests.

The federal government recommends using an at-home test when any of the following situations apply:

• “If you begin having COVID-⁠19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
• At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-⁠19, or
• When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-⁠19 vaccines.”

Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.