1.5 million over 65 years old given free FFP2 masks

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As of Monday, 1.5 million over-65s in Austria have each received ten FFP2 masks free by mail, according to the Health Ministry.

Free masks for people over 65
“By January 27, this process will be completed and thus 17 million masks will have been delivered to 1.7 million people,” it said in a statement. Social institutions have also been supplied.

“Our common goal is to ensure the best possible safe participation of the elderly population in social life. With the free FFP2 masks, we are protecting this particularly hard-hit group during this difficult time. Conventional mouth-nose protection is primarily used to protect others. The biggest advantage of FFP2 masks over conventional mouth-nose protection is that they also provide effective self-protection,” said Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens).

Homeless facilities and social markets supplied

With the support of the Austrian Armed Forces, 52,000 free protective masks were also delivered to homeless facilities throughout Austria. Via the Red Cross’s “Team Austria Tafeln”, around one million masks are distributed to food banks. In addition, 62 social markets are also supplied via the Bundesbeschaffunggesellschaft (BBG).

“The large Austrian supermarket chains also give the masks to their customers free of charge during the first days of the FFP2 obligation. This ensures a nationwide, comprehensive supply of FFP2 masks,” the ministry said.