City of Cambridge to Make 10,000 COVID-19 Rapid At-Home Test Kits and 20,000 High-Quality Masks Available for the Public to Pick Up at Sites Across the City

UPDATE - February 10, 2022: 

Test kits and masks are no longer available for pick up at any sites as supplies have been exhausted.

From Saturday, February 5, through Thursday, February 10, the City distributed over 10,000 test kits and 20,000 high-quality KF94 masks via our pickup sites at the Main Library, City Hall, and neighborhood fire stations to people who live or work in Cambridge.

All sites have now exhausted their supplies and test kits and masks are no longer available for pick up.

The City of Cambridge today announced that, beginning this Saturday, February 5, 10,000 COVID-19 rapid at-home test kits and 20,000 high-quality KF94 masks will be available for the public to pick up at the Main Library, City Hall, and multiple Fire Stations across the City during select dates and times while supplies last.

“While Omicron cases have peaked in Cambridge and we’re seeing case numbers decline, it’s important that residents continue to take precautions to help slow the spread,” said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Manager Louis A. DePasquale in a joint statement. “At this point in the pandemic, we are focused on continuing to support those in our community who need help accessing important tools like rapid tests and high-quality masks to keep themselves, their families, and our community safe.”

The City of Cambridge purchased iHealth COVID-19 rapid at-home test kits and KF94 masks to provide to people in need who live or work in Cambridge and may have difficulty accessing these supplies. Those in need of tests and/or high-quality masks can pick them up at the following locations during the dates and times listed below while supplies last:

• Saturday, February 5
  • 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Main Library located at 449 Broadway
• Monday, February 7 – Friday, February 11
  • 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Thursday) and 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Friday) at City Hall located at 795 Massachusetts Ave.
  • 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Lafayette Square Firehouse located at 378 Massachusetts Ave.
  • 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the East Cambridge Firehouse located at 175 Cambridge St.
  • 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Taylor Square Firehouse located at 113 Garden St.
• Monday, February 7 – Friday, February 11
  • 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Porter Square Firehouse located at 2029 Massachusetts Ave.
  • 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Inman Square Firehouse located at 1384 Cambridge St.
  • Please note: Pickup may be unavailable in both of the above locations for short periods of time if crews are out on a call.

Signage will be posted at the front entrance to the Main Library, the back entrance of City Hall, and entrances to the fire stations to indicate where people should go to pick up test kits and masks.

Test kits and masks will be available at these locations until supplies run out, and the City is strongly encouraging people take no more than 2 test kits and 4 masks per household. However, we understand some may live in larger households or have greater need and they should take what is needed to protect themselves and their families.

Additional test kits and masks are being provided to the City’s non-profit and community partners who work directly with those who may have the greatest need and difficulty accessing these items.

As a reminder, every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Residents can learn more and order tests at www.covidtests.gov.

Insurance companies are also now required to cover the cost of at-home COVID-19 tests. This means that most people with private health coverage can go online or to a pharmacy or store, buy a test, and either get it paid for up front by their health plan or get reimbursed for the cost by submitting a claim to their plan. Many stores and pharmacies throughout the city have supplies of at-home test kits readily available for purchase.

More information about rapid test kits and their availability for pickup at these sites is available at www.cambridgema.gov/hometest.

Information on the City’s COVID-19 PCR testing program that offers free testing 7 days per week to those who live or work in Cambridge can be found at www.cambridgema.gov/testing.