Do you need free Covid tests? Here are USPS test kits shipped for free

With the surge of the Omicron variant after the holidays, the demand for COVID tests also increases. The good news is most Americans can now order their free Covid test kits on the new government website starting Tuesday. A day earlier than January 19. 

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, “The site will officially launch tomorrow and is in the beta testing phase right now. Every website launch, in our view, comes with risk.”

Although COVIDTests.gov was supposed to start accepting orders on Wednesday, a new “Order free at-home tests” button was added on Tuesday. This directs users to usps.com/covidtests so people can order four at-home free test kits. 

In addition, Psaki said that the site is still in its initial stage for troubleshooting. A surge of orders might cause some delays. According to Statista, the traffic looks when the website is launched. 

Photo Credit: Statistica.com

Psaki said, “We can’t guarantee there won’t be a bug or two. But the best tech teams across the administration and the Postal Service are working hard to make this a success.”

Once you open the site, you see a message saying that “COVID-19 tests will start shipping in late January.” According to the site, the US Postal Service will send just one set of the four free at-home Covid test kits to correct residential addresses. 

How to get USPS free Covid test kits

1. Go to the covidtests.gov website.
2. Once on the site, it will direct you to an order form at the US Postal Service.
3. Provide the required details. ( name, shipping address, email address) Giving your email address will allow you to track your order’s shipment.
4. Once the form is filled out, your free tests will be mailed within 7-12 days.
5. No credit card and payment information are needed to complete your free Covid tests order.
6. If you don’t have the internet, the government is setting up a hotline you can call over the phone to request your Covid test kits. 

TWEEPS! You can now order your FREE covid home test from USPS with this link. DON'T WAIT!

RT to share with friends/followers.
👉https://t.co/39P5zVLDEm👈

— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) January 18, 2022

President Biden announced last week that the government was ordering more for the 500 million free rapid at-home tests. This is on top of the first 500 million free Covid tests he announced last month. In total, the target is to distribute 1 billion Covid tests. After the holidays, the Covid test supplies ran out. Draining out online sites, retail stores, and pharmacies. 

Moreover, the White House said that the free test supplies sent to American households are on top of the Covid tests being supplied to schools, rural centers, communities, and retailers. 

USPS COVID test kits distribution

On a side note, one of the foreseen problems in getting the free test kits is the distribution process. Orders processed by different people living in the same apartment building on different units appeared as duplicates. Thus, they are rejected. 

The @USPS is offering free, at-home COVID-19 test kits.

Get yours today 👇https://t.co/gu0XjmcHs5

— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) January 19, 2022

Twitter users advise you to enter your apartment number in the street address field. This could avoid your form ending as duplicates.

Ways on Finding At-Home COVID Tests

If you urgently need to get tested and wouldn’t want to wait for the 12-day-period of the US government’s free test kits, here are some tips on getting your COVID test kits amid the ongoing shortages. 

Sign up now to receive FREE COVID-19 at-home test kits! You'll get four free kits per household via @USPS. Testing, masking, and vaccination are the path out of this pandemic. https://t.co/DLroEVXgc3

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) January 18, 2022

Be active in Social Media.

Like others find it hard to score items, following Twitter and other social media platforms helps. These platforms blast whenever there is trending news online. So you’ll know if Covid test kits are already back in stock and where to get them.

Visit Findacovidtest.org 

This website was founded by a 14-year-old teen fro0m Chicago. When he saw the struggle of finding Covid test kits, he started this website. 

Opt for in-stock alerts

There are third-party sites or store apps that offer alerts or notifications. For example, Target has an in-stock alert app where you can sign in. Using them is an excellent way to know when stocks are available. 

Check out Google Shopping

Aside from finding local stores with the items you’re looking for, Google Shopping also lets you check in-store inventory. You can check what stocks the stores have on their shelves. 

Meanwhile, the Biden administration states how the free COVID tests should be used. It should be used in three situations – if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Before meeting indoors with unvaccinated individuals, you should take a test. You should take the test five days after exposure. Lastly, take the test if you have a higher risk for COVID-19. 

Infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner advises that Americans should request the tests even before there’s a need to take them.

Schaffner said, “If they wait until they have an issue,  by the time the tests arrive, the optimal time for testing may well have passed. If you’ve been exposed and you don’t have the Covid tests available, you’ll have to find testing resources elsewhere.”