Pleasanton Residents Urged To Report COVID-19 Test Price Gouging

PLEASANTON, CA — Pleasanton residents who saw COVID-19 test prices spike were urged to report the seller to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.

District Attorney Nancy O'Malley announced this week that her office will crack down on those who violate a recent executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

"All residents of Alameda County must continue to have access to COVID-19 at-home test kits, especially with the heightened transmissibility of the Omicron variant,” O'Malley said in the statement. “My office will ensure that businesses adhere to the law and do not exploit consumers that are trying to protect themselves and their families.”

Sellers of at-home COVID-19 testing kits may increase the price by no more than 10 percent over the price as of Dec. 1. Sellers who were not selling testing kits as of Dec. 1 were prohibited from selling the kits for more than 50 percent of what they paid to purchase the kit. Some exceptions apply, the DA's office said in a statement.

Offenders could be charged with a misdemeanor that comes with a fine of up to a $1,000 and six months behind bars.

The executive order came as reports surfaced that some retailers were significantly marking up the cost of at-home testing kits as demand soared during the current COVID-19 wave.

The order was set to expire March 31.

Anyone who believed she has been a victim of price gouging was urged to notify Alameda County prosecutors immediately by calling 510-383-8600 or emailing pricegouging@acgov.org.