Face masks will be mandatory in Greater Brisbane as the city enters a three-day COVID-19 lockdown. The Queensland Government announced that residents in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands will have to wear masks when in public, from 6pm on Friday, January 8 to 6pm on Monday, January 11.
So, if you’re wondering where to buy face masks right now, we’ve tracked down some retailers which still stock them (at the time of writing).
Where to buy face masks
Kmart
If we needed another reason to love Kmart, this could be it. The cult department store now sells disposable face masks in packs of 10, for $10, available in-store and online. Kmart face masks come with three layers of protective material and a comfort earloop.
- Afterpay & ZipMoney available
- Click & Collect available
- Most affordable option
Chemist Warehouse
Chemist Warehouse sells bulk packs of Softmed surgical and KN95 single-use face masks from $12.99 for a 10-pack. All face masks are fluid resistant and hypoallergenic, which is ideal for people suffering from allergies or asthma. Some products on the website may be temporarily unavailable, but should be re-stocked within days, according to the retailer.
- Free shipping on orders over $50
- Click & Collect available
- Quick re-stock
Cotton On
Retailer Cotton On sells a wide range of reusable ‘Foundation’ face masks, available in a variety of colours, prints, styles and materials (including hemp). Prices start from $9.99, with 100% of proceeds going to a charity that supports youth education in Africa, according to the brand. There’s also Foundation ‘snoods’ available for sale from $9.99.
- Free delivery on orders over $60
- Zip and Afterpay available
- Available in-store & online
Bunnings
Bunnings isn’t just Australia’s favourite hardware store, but it’s also the place to stock up on face masks. The retailer sells SOJO 10-pack disposable face masks for just $4. This is the cheapest option by far. These come with a three-layer filtration, elastic ear loops and adjustable nose shaping for a close fit.
- Click & Collect available
- Delivery not available for this product
- Check website for availability
Pharmacy Direct
This is one of Australia’s largest online pharmacies which provides medication and general pharmacy products by direct mail. Pharmacy Direct stocks standard N95 masks, ProShield protector masks and 3D photocatalyst face masks which you can buy in packs of five or in bulk (50 pieces). All masks stocked by this online retailer contain high level particle and bacteria filtration systems with 99% efficiency.
- Free shipping on standard orders over $99
- Flexible delivery options Australia-wide
- Discount prices
Kogan
Kogan is one of Australia’s largest online retailers of consumer electronics and goods, and also stocks KN95 and N95 face masks with respirator protection and a minimum Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) of 95%, which apparently offers protection against airborne bacteria and viruses. Kogan also sells a wide range of protective disposable and washable face masks which you can buy in packs of 10 or 50.
- Fast dispatch options available
- Free shipping for Kogan First members
- Zip and Afterpay available
eBay
This online market place trades almost anything, and with millions of product listings added to eBay every day, you should find your fair share of face masks there. A quick search of the site will turn up dozens of listings for disposable protective antibacterial surgical grade face masks coming various 3-ply designs and N95 masks with respirator filters. There are also different pack sizes available starting from packs of 10 masks, up to packs of 100. Keep in mind that stock on third party marketplaces may be limited depending on listing availability.
- Free delivery on selected items with eBay Plus membership
- Sort listings by price and estimated delivery date
- Click & Collect available
Amazon
This online retailer is well stocked with basically everything, including face masks. Amazon sells a wide range of medical and personal care masks like ‘Safe Shield Technology’ face masks, standard 3-ply surgical masks, and various cloth face masks as well. Most products come in packs of 20 or 50. Be aware that stock on third party marketplaces may be limited depending on listing availability at any given time.
- Free delivery on select items with Amazon Prime
- Wide range available
- Afterpay available
Culture Kings
Streetwear retailer Culture Kings has come to the game with both disposable face masks (available in packs of 50) and its own line of signature reusable face masks by big brands like The Anti-Order. Masks from the line come in various sizes and designs, and can be trailed downward or wrapped under the chin for full coverage without compromising on style. Prices start from $19.95.
- Free shipping on orders over $100
- Wide selection
- Afterpay available
What are the main types of face masks?
In terms of face masks for COVID-19 prevention efforts, there are generally three types:
- P2, N95 and KN95 respirators
- Surgical masks
- Cloth face masks
We cover them in more detail below.
What’s the difference between P2, N95 and KN95 face masks?
If you’re shopping for face masks, you’ll often find product descriptions such as P2, N95 and KN95 listed which can add a level of confusion when comparing products. Essentially, disposable P2, N95 and KN95 face masks are one of the same. Different countries use different codes and numbers to name their respiratory face masks. So, P2 is European, N95 is the USA equivalent, and KN95 is the Chinese standard. Also known as respirators, these types of masks are thicker than regular surgical masks and are designed to filter out very fine particles from the air, hence why they’re usually worn to help reduce exposure to bushfire smoke and poor air quality.
It’s worth reiterating that there’s currently no evidence to suggest that the use of face masks in healthy people prevents the transmission of coronavirus, so do your research before you shop.
What about surgical masks?
Surgical masks are what doctors and healthcare workers typically wear to prevent the transmission of diseases by exposure to large particle droplets from a patient’s sneeze or cough, for example. Surgical masks are loose-fitting, as opposed to respirators which are fitted and create a vacuum seal between the mask and the face.
Are cloth face masks effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19?
Cloth face masks do not provide protection against droplets and would therefore not be very effective in preventing the spread of coronavirus. Nevertheless, many people buy them as a precautionary measure, or to wear in public for peace of mind.
The good news is that cloth face masks aren’t hard to come by, because you can either make them at home with common fabrics such as cotton or wool, or buy some from online retailers like Culture Kings, Etsy or Cotton On. Be aware though that cloth face masks should be thoroughly washed after every use to prevent cross contamination.
Picture credits: DimaBerlin/ Shutterstock.com/ Maridav/ Shutterstock.com.
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