NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Amazon customers can now order at-home COVID-19 PCR test kits to be delivered to their homes, but consumers in New York State appear to be excluded from the offer.
According to the product page, the $39.99 test kit is “not available for shipment to residents in NY, U.S. territories, APO/FPO, or international addresses.”
When some one in the state of New York attempts to purchase the product, they receive a warning from Amazon stating “this item cannot be shipped to your selected delivery location. Please choose a different delivery location.”
A spokesperson from the New York State Department of Health told WTEN-TV in Albany that Amazon’s testing kit has not yet received a clinical laboratory permit.
“In accordance with New York State Public Health Law, all clinical laboratories processing New York State collected samples are required to have a New York State clinical laboratory permit. Amazon has submitted an application for a clinical laboratory permit which is currently under review,” the spokesperson said.
According to Amazon’s website, the test kit has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, it has been authorized for emergency use.
While the kit is not a rapid test, results are expected within 24 hours of the sample arriving at a laboratory. The kit includes a pre-paid UPS box and label for patients to send their tests back for results.
COVID-19 tests are still widely available throughout the state of New York. Residents looking to be tested can find an exam clinic by visiting the Department of Health’s website.