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