The U. S. government will soon allow households to order up to four free COVID-19 nasal swab tests as part of a federal program reopening in late September 2024. This decision comes in response to the need for accessible testing options as families prepare for holiday gatherings. The tests are designed to detect current strains of the virus, which is crucial as immunity from previous vaccinations and infections decreases over time.

Initially, the FDA indicated that online ordering would resume on September 23, but this was later updated to late September 2024. The program had been closed since March, and public health officials are emphasizing the importance of testing in managing the ongoing pandemic. The Biden administration has distributed approximately 1. 8 billion COVID-19 tests to date, with a significant portion sent directly to households. This initiative highlights the administration's ongoing commitment to public health and safety.

As the holiday season approaches, having access to free testing could help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during family gatherings.