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.“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.”Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said the announcement came way “too late”.“Whether it’s an ad campaign starting half way through winter on flu and Covid, or free masks being given out in the third year of Covid– it’s always too little, too late,” she said.“Daniel Andrews only has one band-aid solution after another, with no real plan to fix the health crisis he and his government have created.“Only the Liberals and Nationals have real solutions to fix the health crisis and provide Victorians the care they deserve.”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.“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.”Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) president Karen Price backed the move.“This announcement is just what the doctor ordered,” she said.“The expert advice is clear that masks limit community transmission of Covid-19 and other respiratory illnesses including influenza.”Professor Price said Tuesday’s announcement is “timely”, despite critics saying the free masks should have been rolled out months ago.“Whether we like it or not Covid-19 case numbers are high and this pandemic is far from over,” she added. HUN: free masks Victoria
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