Austrian government to distribute free FFP2 masks to over 65s 'by mid-January'
Despite delays in delivery, Austria plans on sending a set of FFP2 masks to every resident over 65 by mid-January 2021.
Der Standard reported on Tuesday that the first masks were sent out on the 23rd of December, with all over 65s to have received their masks by the third week of January.
The masks are believed to provide a greater degree of protection than standard masks or cloth variants.
The scheme is said to cost the Ministry of Health €24 million, Kurier reports.
There are an estimated 1.7 million people over 65 in Austria.
In early December, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober oversaw an amendment to the Covid-19 Act, allowing the masks to be sent out via post to everyone over 65.
READ MORE: Austria to send free FFP2 masks to all residents aged over 65
Recipients, who are described by the government as a “particularly vulnerable group”, will get a package of ten FFP2 masks.
The campaign seeks to provide the “easiest possible access to high-quality breathable masks”.
"The Austrian Post should send ten masks directly to households so that as few contacts as possible are required by the target group to be protected in order to get to this important protective equipment", the guidance reads.
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Der Standard reported on Tuesday that the first masks were sent out on the 23rd of December, with all over 65s to have received their masks by the third week of January.
The masks are believed to provide a greater degree of protection than standard masks or cloth variants.
The scheme is said to cost the Ministry of Health €24 million, Kurier reports.
In early December, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober oversaw an amendment to the Covid-19 Act, allowing the masks to be sent out via post to everyone over 65.
READ MORE: Austria to send free FFP2 masks to all residents aged over 65
Recipients, who are described by the government as a “particularly vulnerable group”, will get a package of ten FFP2 masks.
The campaign seeks to provide the “easiest possible access to high-quality breathable masks”.
"The Austrian Post should send ten masks directly to households so that as few contacts as possible are required by the target group to be protected in order to get to this important protective equipment", the guidance reads.
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