More masks are being provided in the community 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). You can order these online at https://requestrats.covid19.health.nz/
- by visiting a participating pharmacy
- through a participating GP or alternative community healthcare provider
If you are unable to order RATs online, or you are unable to visit a participating provider in person, call 0800 222 478 and select option 3.
Free P2/N95 particulate respirator masks
Both medical masks and P2/N95 particulate respirator masks are available from the providers mentioned, with those people at higher risk of severe illness if they contract COVID-19 being prioritised for P2/N95 masks. 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