Updated at 2:29 p.m. on Aug. 26

A new order from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser now mandates licensed health insurance providers to cover the full cost of coronavirus testing for certain asymptomatic people who may be at a high risk of contracting the virus. The order is in effect throughout the Public Health Emergency period (currently until Oct. 9).

Per the mayor’s order, the expansion allows individuals who work in a high-risk setting, who may be vulnerable to serious health complications if they contracted the virus, or who have recently been exposed to a COVID-19 patient to receive a test at no cost, and without a doctor’s referral. In a Twitter thread about the expansion, Bowser provides an example of a long-term care facility employee who can now receive full coverage of their coronavirus test at their health provider with the new mandate.

A D.C. Department of Health order from Aug. 11 defines “high-risk, congregate settings” as long-term care environments such as skilled nursing facilities, assisted living residences, intermediate care facilities, community residential facilities, detention centers, and homeless shelters. Individuals that are “high-risk” are those with pre-existing conditions including cancer, serious heart conditions, or diabetes, according to the health department.

According to Bowser’s press release, previously, D.C.-licensed insurers were required to cover only testing in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines. These required an individual to show symptoms of COVID-19, to have come into close contact with a confirmed-positive person, or to receive a referral from a doctor or governmental health department in order to receive full coverage for a test. Now, insurers are required to provide no-cost testing at least once a week and without a referral for anyone who meets the city’s outlined “high-risk” requirements.

“We know that the best place to get tested for COVID-19 is at a doctor or with a medical professional who can talk to you about your symptoms, health, and future care,” Bowser says in the press release. “If you need a test, you should get a test and you shouldn’t be worried about the cost.”

Free, public coronavirus testing is also available at one of D.C.’s walk-up testing sites — but residents should check the weather before they head out to one of the city’s testing locations, as they often shutter and amend their hours during storms and extreme heat.

As of Aug. 25, the city has tested 271,622 people, of which 170,662 D.C. were residents. The city reports 13,684 total positive cases and has seen a decreasing seven-day average of daily new cases since mid-August.

This post has been updated with additional information about high-risk settings and individuals from D.C.’s Health Department.