The Government is increasing accessibility to masks for people in the wider community. More masks are being provided to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and to protect people who are at higher risk of more severe illness if they contract COVID-19. You do not need to have COVID-19 or have COVID-19 symptoms to get free masks.

Free medical masks

You can get free medical face masks by:

• picking them up from testing centres and collection points alongside your free rapid antigen tests (RATs)
• visiting a participating pharmacy
• talking to a participating GP or alternative community healthcare provider.

To order RATs online visit the Ministry of Health website.

Rapid antigen testing (RAT) – Ministry of Health

Alternatively, if you’re unable to order RATs online or visit a participating healthcare provider in person, call 0800 222 478 and select option 3.

For a list of testing locations with free face masks visit the Health Point website.

COVID-19 testing – Health Point

Free P2/N95 particulate respirator masks

In addition to medical masks, P2/N95 particulate respirator masks are also available from the providers mentioned.

P2/N95 masks will be prioritised for those people at higher risk of severe illness if they contract COVID-19. This includes people:

• with compromised immunity
• with high-risk medical conditions
• who are older
• who live in aged care facilities
• who are pregnant
• with a disability
• who live with mental health conditions or addictions
• of Māori and Pacific ethnicity
• who smoke.

For information about people considered at higher risk, see the Ministry of Health website.

Higher risk people – Ministry of Health