CDC Considers Ending 5-Day COVID Isolation; US Government Suspends Free Test Orders

The United States government has made the decision to suspend mail orders for free COVID-19 tests, effective March 8, 2024, marking the end of the program's sixth round.

Deadline for Requests

Households are able to request tests until 11:59 p.m. PT on March 8 through the United States Postal Service.

Distribution Details

The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has revealed that over 1.8 billion tests have been distributed through COVIDTests.gov and other channels. The spokesperson for ASPR has stated that the government will continue distributing millions of tests per week to long-term care facilities, food banks, health centers, and schools.

Possible Future Resumption

Despite the current suspension, the ASPR reserves the right to use COVIDTests.gov in the future as needed, leaving open the possibility for the program to resume again down the road.

Background of the Program

The free mail-order COVID tests program was initially launched in January 2022 by the Biden administration. It was most recently reopened in September of the following year with households becoming eligible to order the latest round of tests since November.

Reason for Suspension

The decision to suspend ordering for the sixth round of the program comes as a result of lowering case rates following the winter respiratory season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had previously announced that the respiratory virus season was likely past its peak following a December surge, while still urging caution.