Several Phoenix-area cities giving away free COVID-19 rapid test kits

PHOENIX — Ahead of Christmas gatherings, several cities across the metro Phoenix area are giving away free COVID-19 rapid test kits.

The city of Tempe will distribute the BinaxNOW self-test kits starting Tuesday at various locations, including the Tempe Public Library. Each home kit contains two rapid tests that provide results in 15 minutes. (Update: Tempe said Tuesday morning it expected to run out of kits before noon but will get more in next week.)

“We want to make sure that people have access to them, and that they have the ability to make smart, wise decisions about their own health and the health of those around them,” Tempe Mayor Corey Woods told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

No proof of residency or ID will be required to get the test kits. Each household will be able to get one test kit. They’re meant for Tempe residents, but people living outside the city will not be turned away.

Woods said there’s a reason why the city is making the test kits available ahead of Christmas.

“People are going to be having more gatherings with friends and family and neighbors, so we want to make sure they can do it safely,” he said.

The city of Mesa is also distributing BinaxNOW COVID-19 test kits free to the public. They’re available only through curbside pickup Mondays through Saturdays at city libraries.

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health is making the test kits available to both cities to distribute.

Test kits are also being distributed at the 18 Maricopa County Library District branches as well as the Avondale Public Library.

People who test positive are encouraged to self-report their results to their primary care doctors or directly to the county health department at 602-506-6767.

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