Free face masks to protect our region from COVID-19

Published on 02 October 2020

Mildura Rural City Council is providing 6,500 free face masks to eligible residents in our community to keep them safe and meet COVID-19 public health requirements.

The single-use and reusable face masks are among 2.1 million distributed across the state by the Victorian Government to protect people who may become sicker with COVID-19, or may be less likely to have access to a face mask.

Face masks are available to eligible residents across the municipality, including towns along the Mallee Track and other outlying areas.

People can pick up masks at the following locations, or they can be posted out on request to residents who don’t live in Mildura.

Mildura Visitor Information and Booking Centre

180-190 Deakin Avenue

(03) 5018 8380

Mallee Track Health and Community Service
(03) 5092 1111

The local roll-out of free face masks has been made possible through Council’s ongoing partnership with the Christie Centre, whose staff have dedicated many hours to packaging masks in preparation for collection or distribution.

It follows a recent announcement by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews that residents must wear fitted face masks that cover the nose and mouth. This means face shields, bandannas and scarves can no longer be used, potentially attracting fines for breaching public health measures.

Residents throughout the municipality are reminded face masks need to be worn when leaving their homes, despite the ongoing lack of COVID-19 cases in our region.

According to the Victorian Government’s guidelines residents are eligible for free face masks if they meet any of the following criteria:

• people who are being actively managed for the following chronic conditions: 
• • poor immunity
  • heart disease, diabetes and stroke
  • obesity
  • chronic lung disease
  • alcohol and drug dependency
  • frailty
• people living in public housing, in crisis accommodation, or who are homeless
• people living in rooming houses and supported residential services
• people living with disability
• people experiencing a mental health condition and their carers
• people with health and/or social issues that make them vulnerable, including people with alcohol and drug issues, including those attending primary and secondary needle and syringe programs
• people experiencing family violence
• people living in residential facilities
• young people living in mandatory facilities
• Aboriginal people
• Refugee and asylum seekers (including temporary visa holders).
  
  

ENDS