Biden admin, US Postal Service near deal to deliver promised 500 million rapid COVID test kits

The Biden administration is reportedly close to a deal with the U.S. Postal Service to mail 500 million rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests throughout the country. 

The deal follows President Biden, amid the demand for the kits as the virus’ highly contagious Omicron variant spread throughout the U.S., recently announcing his administration would purchase 500 million of the home-testing kits.

The Washington Post on Thursday first reported the deal between the administration and the postal service. 

People in the U.S. who want a free testing kit delivered to their home will be able to request them via a website that has yet to launch.

The Post also reports that test-kit makers and distributors that want to help supply the 500 million tests have to submit a proposal to the government. On Thursday, the administration awarded its first contract toward the purchase and said more details about the plan would be announced as early as Friday.