Victorians to get free N95 masks to try to relieve pressure on health system

The Victorian government is set to distribute three million free N95 and KN95 masks over the coming weeks to try to ease the pressure on the state's health system.

Speaking outside Victorian parliament, Premier Daniel Andrews announced the free masks would be given out at COVID-19 testing sites, community health sites and across public transport.

Every person that attends COVID-19 testing sites over the next four to six weeks for a COVID-19 test will be given a box of 10 masks.

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"We would encourage you to wear those, when you are inside, when you are on public transport," Andrews said.

He said winter had been "one of the most difficult periods ever" for the state's health system, and that mask wearing would help reduce pressure on the system.

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Andrews said offering free masks was "the common sense thing to do" at this point.

"We've got the stock," he said.

The government is "strongly recommending" masks be worn indoors in Victoria.

However, Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas rejected health advice to mandate mask wearing at the beginning of July.

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Victorians have been advised that while surgical masks provide protection against airborne viruses such as COVID-19 and influenza, N95 masks offer much better protection because they fit more closely to the wearer's face.

Andrews confirmed that Victoria is coming towards the end of the current wave of COVID-19.

There are 40,001 known active cases in the state at the moment, including 673 in hospital and 32 in intensive care.

A further 44 deaths in people with the virus have been recorded today.

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