Austria's supermarkets are now selling FFP2 masks for 59 cents each. Those with low incomes receive these for free.
From January 25th, an FFP2 mask must be worn in shops and on public transport. Since Thursday (January 21), “Filtering Face Piece” masks of protection category 2 have been on sale in local supermarket chains at a price of 59 cents each.
The FFP2 masks, which are intended to provide better protection against possible infection, will be available individually or in packs of 10 at almost all supermarkets; they will be sold in household quantities of a maximum of five per customer or a pack of 10.
People with low incomes receive the necessary masks for free. Health Minister Rudolf Anschober announced on Thursday that the free masks for low-income earners would be distributed “from next week in the area of social centers, for example warm rooms”. There people would find themselves in “difficult situations”.
According to Rudi Anschober, “large quantities of free masks” are to be distributed in the social centers. The price in the supermarkets of 59 cents each is “well below our estimates,” said the Minister of Health.
Anschober also commented on the announced distribution of the free masks to people over 65 years of age, admitting “massive delays”. The dispatch will be “finished next week”
