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SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday announced New Mexicans may now order free, at-home, self-administered COVID-19 saliva tests, with accurate laboratory-confirmed results returned within 24-48 hours of receipt of the sample.
Who is eligible?
- The free tests are available to New Mexico residents regardless of exposure risk– whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic, and whether they have come into close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive individual or not.
- You must have access to online-video conferencing via Zoom.
- You do not have to have insurance to receive a free kit — but if you have insurance, have your insurance information ready when you request your kit.
How does it work?
- First, go online to learn.vaulthealth.com/nm/ to have a testing kit sent to you via UPS. Have your insurance card handy, if you are insured (uninsured persons can also receive a free kit).
- When your kit arrives, do not eat, drink or smoke for at least 30 minutes.
- Follow the mailed instructions to log on via Zoom where a testing expert will show you how to collect your saliva sample. You must have a photo ID and your insurance card (if you have one) handy when you connect via Zoom.
- Mail the sample back and your results will arrive 24 to 48-hours later.
Request your free at-home testing kit here.
“We need more New Mexicans to get tested,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “We’ve worked hard every single day this year to make testing fast, easy and accessible to everyone. We ensured, from the very start, that cost would not be an obstacle for New Mexicans needing a COVID-19 test. And right now testing is one of the best ways to get New Mexico from ‘red’ to ‘green.’ We can drive down county positivity rates, help more businesses and workers get safely back on their feet, and keep more New Mexicans healthy. But it all starts with you, and it starts with getting a test. This is a very, very promising development.”
“Testing is an absolutely essential tool in our fight against the virus,” said Health Secretary-designate Tracie C. Collins, M.D. “When we know who’s positive, we can isolate the virus and cut down on transmission. New Mexicans should have every confidence in the testing our state makes available. We will get through this crisis together, and testing is one of our best strategies for managing the pandemic.”
“When more New Mexicans get tested, we can understand better the scope of viral spread in our state,” said Human Services Secretary David Scrase, M.D. “We can fight the virus more effectively when we know where we stand in every community across New Mexico. I hope New Mexicans take advantage of this simple and accessible means of testing – and continue to undertake all COVID-safe behaviors in their day-to-day lives.”
What if I want an in-person test?
The state of New Mexico continues to make free in-person testing available at dozens of sites statewide each day. To find a testing location near you, visit togethernm.org.