Free N95 face masks will be provided at popular railway stations, COVID testing sites, and community health and disability services. covid19 masks
They will be provided at busy transport hubs and at state-run COVID-19 test sites.Free N95 face masks will be handed out at popular railway stations and at COVID-19 testing sites, an announcement that came after Victoria passed the peak of new infections and hospitalisations of the latest Omicron wave.
Andrews said the plan was to focus on people who need them most, to help people protect themselves and relieve pressure on the healthcare system. Greens health spokesman Dr Tim Read, who called on the government to provide masks for free last month, welcomed the announcement on Tuesday. He said he looked forward to hearing how the government would address air quality in shops and hospitality venues.New Zealand is already offering free face masks from testing sites, while Transport NSW has given out 2.4 million surgical masks at transport hubs since April this year.
Reusable cloth masks provide the least protection but are still better than no mask at all. People can also “double-mask” by wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask.The more tightly fitting P2 or N95 masks are available at hardware stores, supermarkets and chemists. Bennett said many vulnerable people were still restricting their lives to shield themselves from COVID-19 and providing the quality masks for free could help them feel comfortable to move around more freely. But she stressed they needed to be worn properly.