Fall has arrived, with winter soon to come. That means more time indoors, which inevitably kicks up the spread of viruses.

With that in mind, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging state residents to order free COVID-19 at-home tests through the federal government’s COVID-19 tests website, https://covidtests.gov/, and reminds residents about additional testing resources available in Michigan.

“We encourage Michigan families to take advantage of the free COVID tests being provided to reduce the risk of spreading the virus,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, said in a news release. “And although it is important to test for COVID, families should also consider other respiratory diseases, including RSV and influenza, as we head into fall and winter when these diseases are most commonly spread. Please stay home if you are sick, even if you have a negative COVID test.”

All U.S. residents can go to COVIDTests.gov to sign up to receive up to four free at-home tests per household delivered via the U.S. Postal Service.

Additional testing options in Michigan, according to the MDHHS, include —

— For Michiganders who are thinking about plans for on-site testing, Michigan.gov/COVIDTest remains in place to assist in finding a testing location.

— Neighborhood Wellness Centers, formerly Neighborhood Testing Sites, are providing on-site COVID-19 and influenza testing and distributing free at-home COVID-19 tests.

MDHHS also continues to partner with libraries across the state to provide free at-home COVID-19 tests to Michiganders. For a list of participating libraries, go to https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/contain-covid/test/library-partnership-for-at-home-test?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.

Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain and Crystal Falls District Community Library in Crystal Falls are both on the list.

MDHHS also encourages Michigan families to develop a COVID plan that works for them. This may include —

— Keeping a supply of COVID-19 over-the-counter tests and well-fitting masks at home.

— Getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

— Speaking to a health care provider about eligibility for therapeutics that reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 disease for those who test positive.

— Staying home if sick and learning more about Respiratory Virus Protection Strategies at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/chronicdiseases/seasonal-respiratory-viruses?utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.