Americans will soon be able to order free COVID-19 tests again: How it works

U.S. households will be able to order as many as four nasal swab tests at COVIDTests.gov when the federal program reopens. The U.S. Health and Human Services agency overseeing the program has not yet given an exact date when ordering can begin.

An FDA website on Sunday indicated online ordering for free COVID tests would reopen on Monday, Sept. 23. However, late Monday morning that site was updated to say ordering would begin in "late September 2024." 

The federal program for free COVID-19 tests has been closed since March. 

An agency spokesperson has said the tests will detect current virus strains and can be ordered ahead of the holiday season, when families and friends gather for celebrations.

U.S. regulators last month approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine that is designed to combat the recent virus strains and, hopefully, forthcoming winter ones, as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention already has recommended this fall’s shot for everyone age 6 months and older.

While most Americans have some degree of immunity from prior infections or vaccinations or both, that protection wanes. Last fall’s shots targeted a different part of the coronavirus family tree, a strain that’s no longer circulating.

Over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests typically cost around $11, as of last year.

The Biden administration has given out 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, including half distributed to households by mail. It’s unclear how many tests the feds have on hand.

Tens of billions of tax-payer dollars have been used to develop COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments.

How to order free COVID tests

Once the program officially reopens at the end of September, orders can be placed at COVIDTests.gov and will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service.

Each household can order up to four free tests.