More than three million masks to be handed out across Victoria

Daniel Andrews has made a major announcement as Victoria battles a fresh Covid wave. Find out where to get a free mask.

Victorians will have access to more than three million free masks over the coming weeks as part of a push from the state government to drive down Covid transmissions.

Free N95 and KN95 masks will be handed out at various locations across the state over the next four to six weeks.

Members of the public who head to a state-run Covid testing facility will get a box of 10 N95 masks.

They will also be handed out through community organisations, aboriginal gatherings, disability service providers and at train stations.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the move made “common sense” as the state passed the peak of its winter Covid wave.

Victorians will have access to more than three million free masks. Picture NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

“Providing masks free of charge to those who need them most will help them protect themselves, their loved ones, and Victoria’s hardworking healthcare workers,” he said on Tuesday.

“I think it's pretty clear now that we’ve passed the peak of this wave and we want to do everything we can to continue to drive those numbers down.

“This is all about trying to further limit and drive down even further those case numbers, the hospitalisation numbers, taking pressure off our nurses, taking pressure off our ambulance workers and doctors and the whole health system.”

“This just makes common sense.”

Masks are not mandated in Victoria, but they are strongly recommended for indoor settings where physical distancing cannot happen, anyone with Covid symptoms or vulnerable people.

Masks are still mandatory in certain high-risk settings though, including hospitals, aged care and on public transport.

Masks are strongly recommended in certain settings for Victorians. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“We know that the advice and the evidence is really clear. If you can wear a mask please wear one, particularly when you’re indoors, particularly where you can’t social distance from other people,” Mr Andrews said.

Victoria recorded 6380 new Covid cases on Tuesday. There were 673 people in hospital and 44 people died from the virus.

Mr Andrews said the state’s Covid case numbers and hospitalisations were dropping, and the three million free masks would help continue this trend.

“Those numbers in terms of case numbers and hospitalisations, the trend is positive,” he said.

“That‘s a very good thing given the extraordinary pressure and challenge that our hospital staff and our health team are facing.

“But this (free masks) is just the right thing to do at this time, just that last push to really drive down those numbers as we finish off this wave.”

Masks will also be available at community health centres across the state.

To find your nearest community health centre, go to health.vic.gov.au

Originally published as More than three million masks to be handed out across Victoria