Alongside vermouth and Hennessy, COVID-19 rapid tests to be sold at N.H. liquor stores

Maybe you’ve found yourself asking: Can I get that COVID test, can I get that Henny?

At New Hampshire state-owned liquor stores, you’ll be able to do both. The Executive Council voted unanimously Wednesday to use $12 million in federal money to buy one million at-home COVID-19 rapid tests, which will be sold to the public at government-owned liquor stores.

The antigen tests will be ordered later this week, and are expected to hit shelves usually populated with bottles of Sancerre and single malts by the middle of February.

“You may pick one up when you go to get a bottle of wine, to have it in your medicine cabinet,” DHHS Commissioner Lori Shibinette told the council, which voted unanimously to approve the purchase.

The money comes from American Rescue Plan funds.

According to documents associated with the purchase, the state-run liquor stores will sell the rapid tests at cost, plus a $1.50 fee per case to cover the cost of storage and the addition of bar codes.

This story is part of the New England News Collaborative. It was originally published on New Hampshire Public Radio's website.