ORLANDO, Fla. — President Joe Biden said Tuesday his plan to provide 500 million free at-home COVID-19 tests looks to alleviate long lines at COVID-19 testing sites by giving access to Americans who can't currently afford to get one. 

But with the first delivery of those tests expected to come in January, many people are stuck in long testing lines at pharmacies ahead of the holidays — and at places like Orlando’s Barnett Park, which shut down early for a second day in a row Tuesday. 

As omicron cases surge nationwide, business at many Central Florida pharmacies indicate how much those at-home tests already are needed. They already were busy with people coming in for PCR and antigen tests, and now they are flooded with people looking for in-person, and especially, at-home tests.

“Yesterday, we had people buying four, five, six at a time,” said Parker Baro, a pharmacy technician at Orlando Pharmacy. “And it really was that fast. Yesterday we had a whole bunch of them, and today (Tuesday), we’re absolutely out. These last couple of days have just been crazy, the amount of inquiries we’re getting, the tests that we’re doing. It’s picked up almost overnight it seems."

While at-home tests are cheaper and more convenient for people who think they might have been exposed to COVID-19 or who ware feeling ill, Baro said it’s important to remember the results aren't always spot on. 

"They’re not always going to give you a positive when you’re positive,” Baro said. “If you’re really concerned — you know, if you’re going to be traveling and need to make sure you’re negative — a PCR test is going to be the better one."

Also, check ahead to ensure you’re getting the right test for your destination in the timeframe required to make your trip or flight. COVID protocols differ by countries and local governments. 

But Baro said more at-home testing kits can make a big impact in helping quickly notify people whether they've been exposed to COVID.

An at-home test might have helped Veronica Rozo, who waited in a long line at Barnett Park in Orlando on Tuesday to get a COVID-19 test. 

“I want a test for COVID. I couldn’t go to work because I’m very sick,” Rozo said. 

After 90 minutes, she only had advanced part of the way through the line.

She said it was worth the time investment, however, to find out whether it’s COVID-19 that is making her sick.

“Sore throat, flu, runny nose,” Rozo said, describing her symptoms. 

She said she’s hopeful her test results will come quickly, helping give her some peace of mind ahead of the holidays. 

 “Yeah, for me and my family,” Rozo said.