Trump Administration Reverses Decision to Shut Down Free COVID Test Website -

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19 Feb 2025 Washington, D.C. –

The Trump administration reversed a plan late Tuesday to shut down the government website that provides free coronavirus tests to U.S. households, following reports that officials were considering disposing of tens of millions of tests.

Initially, it was reported that the government was considering evaluating the costs of destroying unused COVID-19 tests instead of distributing them to the public. The report, based on internal documents and statements from two officials at a federal public health agency, raised concerns about the potential waste of valuable resources amid ongoing public health needs.

Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson of the Department of Health and Human Services, initially confirmed that COVIDtests.gov would be deactivated at 8 p.m. Tuesday. However, he clarified that the tests would not be destroyed and would remain in government inventory until their expiration date.

The last-minute reversal came just 30 minutes before the scheduled shutdown. The decision ensures that Americans will continue to have access to free COVID-19 tests, a critical tool in monitoring and controlling the virus. The program has provided millions of tests to households nationwide since its launch, helping individuals detect infections early and prevent the spread of the disease.

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The administration’s reconsideration follows criticism from health experts and lawmakers who argue that COVID-19 testing remains essential, particularly as new variants emerge. Public health officials have urged the government to maintain accessible testing resources to prepare for potential future outbreaks.

While the website remains operational, it remains unclear how long the program will continue. Officials have not provided further details on the long-term strategy for distributing COVID-19 tests.

Keep Reading Questiqa.us and Questiqa.com for more updates.