The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has made the decision to shut down all COVID-19 community testing sites that remain open. If you need to get tested, you have until June 30, 2024, to do so at a community testing site. However, you can still get access to COVID-19 tests via testing kiosks which are now available throughout the state. These kiosks are conveniently operational 24/7 in most locations.
The kiosks provide a testing kit that consists of two (2) nasal swabs for COVID-19 and Influenza A/Influenza B, along with instructions on how to collect the specimens. After the specimens have been collected, they can be safely placed back into the kit and returned to the kiosk. The collected specimens are picked up daily and sent to an accredited lab for PCR testing. Typically, individuals receive their test results via email or text within 48 hours of specimen collection.
You don’t need to pre-register to get tested at the kiosks, but if you prefer to do so, you can visit https://register.testandgo.com/. The good news is that there is no need to pay for tests received through a DPH kiosk. However, if you have insurance, the cost of the test will be charged to your insurance provider.
You can easily locate the kiosks by referring to the map available at https://dph.georgia.gov/covidtesting. Additionally, if you’re unsure about using the kiosks, there’s a brief video guide also available on the same webpage.
County health departments throughout the state are offering free test kits for COVID-19. These kits are readily available and accessible to individuals who need them.