Website for free at-home COVID-19 test kits a little glitchy at launch

The Biden administration opened its federal website to order free at-home Covid test kits on Tuesday but there are some glitches.

News 12 Staff

Jan 19, 2022, 10:43 AM

Updated 1,071 days ago

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The Biden administration opened its federal website to order free at-home COVID-19 test kits on Tuesday but there were some glitches.
The website was supposed to officially launch today, but White House officials say they went live in a limited capacity Tuesday to make sure there weren't any "bugs" in the system.
But many people faced issues, especially for those living in apartment buildings or other multiunit dwellings.
Americans are supposed to be able to go on the website covidtest.gov and order free at-home COVID-19 tests.
Supplies are limited to four tests per household, and they will ship within 7 to 12 days after you place your order.
But, some people who live in multiunit dwellings like an apartment building say when they tried to register, they received a message saying tests had already been ordered for their address. "Went, clicked on the link, sweet it's OK, and filled everything in. I'm trying to remember exactly what it said, but it said it had already been ordered for our address," says Allison Landa.
U.S. Postal Service officials say the issue stems from some buildings not being registered as multiunit complexes. So if one person in the building orders, the website sees that as the one order limit for that address.
Critics have also said some homes have more than four people living there.
White House officials say the website lists 20,000 free testing sites nationwide, as well as insurance reimbursement for at-home tests if you need more kits. They also say they have tech teams and the postal service working on the issue.
There is also a planned phone hotline for people without internet access, which is supposed to be ready by the end of the week