Governor Walz Announces New Round of Free COVID Tests Ahead of Holidays
Four additional tests per household will be available in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today
announced that four additional free at-home rapid tests are available to all Minnesota
households in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday through the state’s online ordering program.
Minnesotans who have previously ordered tests are again able to receive four additional tests
per household at order your free at-home rapid tests on mn.gov/covid19.
“Each of us can do our part to protect the health of our loved ones this Thanksgiving – taking
a COVID test is one of the best ways to do that,” said Governor Walz. “Thanks to this program,
all Minnesota households have the option to test before gathering with friends and family for
the holiday.”
“We’re doing our part to remove any barriers for Minnesotans to test for COVID before
gathering this Thanksgiving,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “These additional tests are
free, easy to order, and will be delivered to your doorstep. Testing for COVID is one simple
way to stay healthy around the holidays.”
Minnesotans can also place orders through the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19
Public Hotline at 1-833-431-2053 Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Language assistance is available.
How to get a test:
Order your free at-home rapid tests. Food banks, local public health agencies, community
groups, and other community health organizations may also have free tests available.
Anyone can walk in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the state’s free COVID-19
Community Testing sites or find a testing option near them through the state’s Find Testing
Locations map.
Costs for over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests are now required to be covered by health
plans offered by Medicare, insurance companies, employers, and groups as a result of actions
taken by the Biden Administration. In some circumstances, Minnesotans can receive free tests
by showing their insurance card at a store. People should check with their health plan prior to
purchasing at-home tests to ensure they are following the necessary steps to have costs
covered.
Testing and COVID-19 medications:
If you are high risk and develop symptoms that could be COVID-19, get tested right away.
Prescription medication is available to help prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Talk to a health care provider to learn if you qualify for COVID-19 treatment and where to get it.
Learn more about COVID-19 medication at COVID-19 Treatments.
Dozens of Minnesota pharmacies and federally qualified health centers are participating in the
federal Test to Treat program. There, you can take a COVID-19 test and, if positive, be assessed
by a provider on-site. If you are eligible for treatment, you can receive and fill a prescription for
pills at the same time. The federal government has a Test to Treat locator to help find
participating sites. Some of these sites require appointments. Learn more at the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services Test to Treat site.
When to get tested:
Testing continues to be important for preventing the spread of the virus. It is especially
important to get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or had close contact with someone
who has COVID-19. For more details and additional information on when to get tested, see the
MDH COVID-19 Testing page.