Starting January 19, the White House will have a website where people can request free COVID-19 Tests
Beginning Jan. 19, Americans will be able to order free at-home quick testing online, according to the White House.
President Biden said his administration acquired 500 million quick tests last month, and this move makes them available.
However, there are some significant restrictions. Each household will be subjected to a maximum of four tests. The tests will likewise take 7-12 days to ship once ordered, according to the White House.
COVIDTests.gov, a new website that will go live on January 19, will allow people to order the tests. The White House has teamed up with the USPS to deliver the tests to people’s homes.
The decision comes as the White House has been pressed by lawmakers and health experts to take more aggressive measures to solve nationwide test shortages.
Many health experts believe the administration should have taken similar testing steps months ago, before the omicron wave struck.
Because there are only four tests per address, this channel will be insufficient to provide for the regular testing that many experts have advocated for.
When asked about the restriction, a senior administration official explained that the project is “just one of several things we’re running” in terms of testing. Allowing customers to be compensated by private health insurers for tests purchased at a merchant is another option.
According to an official, 420 million tests have already been contracted, with 80 million more to be contracted.
Biden also revealed on Thursday that an extra 500 million tests will be made accessible at a later date.
A senior administration official said the White House is prepared for the website’s launch, despite the fact that there is always some risk when launching a website.