By AMANDA SEITZ | Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Americans can once again order free COVID-19 tests and have them sent directly to their homes.

The U.S. government resumed the program on Thursday, allowing each household to order up to four at-home COVID nasal swab kits through the covidtests.gov website. The tests will be shipped as early as next week through the United States Postal Service.

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The site reopened immediately after a COVID-19 virus surge over the summer and with an eye on the fall and winter respiratory virus seasons, health officials are urging Americans to get an up-to-date COVID-19 booster shot and annual flu shot.

“Before you visit your family and friends this holiday season, get a rapid test and help protect them from COVID-19,” Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement.