Local health departments are encouraged to share broadly with their communities that, beginning September 25, households will again be able to order four free tests through COVIDTests.gov. These tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants. People are encouraged to use the free tests immediately as Americans prepare for travel and gatherings with friends and family throughout the 2023 holiday season.

Additional resources:

• In addition to inviting U.S. households to order four free COVID-19 tests, there are numerous other options to get tested for free, including free community-based testing sites, including pharmacies, across the country. The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response is also distributing free at-home tests to schools, nursing homes, community health centers, rural health clinics, food banks, and other community locations to ensure communities have widespread access to tests. To learn more, people are encouraged to contact a HRSA health center, Test to Treat site, or ICATT location near them to learn how to access low- or no cost COVID-19 tests provided by the federal government.
• The Public Health Communications Collaborative has released a toolkit and messaging guide for fall and winter 2023 vaccinations.