Face masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the number of virus particles:
- spread by someone with COVID-19
- inhaled by people near them.
There are some places you may have to wear a face mask, like healthcare settings (GPs, hospitals, etc.). Make sure you stay up to date with mask requirements.
Where you must wear a face mask
You can get free medical face masks when you pick up rapid antigen tests (RATs) from a collection site. If you are at higher risk of severe illness, you can get free P2/N95 face masks.