Coronavirus: Shopping limits on face masks and where to buy them
Face coverings are mandatory in metro Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire as of Thursday, July 22, with people subject to a $200 fine if they don’t cover their nose and mouth in public.
Masks are also recommended in other parts of Victoria and, as coronavirus cases continue to rise in NSW, it’s being suggested people wear them when they can’t social distance appropriately.
But people don’t need expensive masks in order to comply with regulations.
“It can be a scarf, or a homemade mask,” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.
Although 1.37 million single-use masks have been ordered for use in Victoria, shops have still put restrictions in place in many Victorian stores, limiting customers from bulk-buying so other people can’t access what they need.
Here’s everything you need to know about which face masks to buy, where to buy them and what restrictions are in place.
What kind of face mask should I buy?
There are two kinds of face masks: reusable cloth masks and single-use masks, also known as surgical masks.
Cloth masks are more environmentally friendly than single-use masks, but need to be multi-layered in order to be truly effective.
Cloth masks can filter out large particles in the air, but aren’t as efficient as multi-layered, single-use masks when filtering out small particles in the air.
Although it’s possible to buy medical grade masks, such as P2 and N95 masks, these are not recommended for the general public as they are difficult to put on and take off properly.
Where can I buy face masks?
Woolworths
What are the restrictions?
In Victoria, there’s a limit of one pack of face masks per customer both in-store and online. There are no limits across the rest of the country as yet.
Masks can be bought both online and in-store and in Victoria.
How much do they cost?
You can buy either a 50-pack of Disposable Protective Masks box for $40, or a three-pack Softmed N95 Respirator Mask for $20.
What you need to know
N95 masks aren’t suitable for the general public. Woolworths said tens of thousands of boxes of masks would continue to flow into stores across Victoria in the coming weeks, with a priority on hotspot areas.
ALDI
What are the restrictions?
Customers in Melbourne are allowed two packs of masks per shopping trip to allow for “fair distribution of product”.
How much do they cost?
ALDI don’t offer home delivery, so customers have to go into the store to buy masks.
A pack of 50 single-use masks is $29.99.
Coles
What are the restrictions?
In Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, face masks are limited to one pack per customer. There are currently no limits throughout the rest of the country.
How much do they cost?
Masks can be bought both online and in-store in Victoria but people should contact their local Coles store for prices and availability.
Officeworks
What are the restrictions?
Disposable masks are limited to between two and five packets per customer, and reusable cloth masks are limited to two per customer.
They’re available both online and in-store, but customers are unable to use the Click and Collect service. Stock is limited but available depending on your location.
How much do they cost?
A KN95 Non-medical Disposable Earloop Folding Mask costs $4.95 and are limited to five packs per customer.
Their reusable protective face masks are $24.95 each and limited to two per customer, while you can get a pack of 50 St John’s Surgical Mask packs for $54.95. Customers are allowed to buy two boxes.
Denim face masks in small, medium and large are $29.99 each, with a limit of two per customer, and you can buy children’s masks in denim at $29.99 each, which are also limited to two per person.
Target
What are the restrictions?
Target hasn’t released any restrictions on their face masks. Masks are available in limited stores, or you can Click and Collect, but they aren’t doing home delivery.
How much do they cost?
The reusable fabric Coutaulds Face and Dust Mask is $9. These masks have an adjustable nose clip and ear loops for a better fit.
Priceline
What are the restrictions?
There are currently no restrictions on buying from Priceline – apart from the hefty price tag, which sees 50 masks being sold for $249.
Although Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has accused some retailers of “profiting from pain”, a Priceline spokesperson defended the price, saying: “The retail price represents the quality, cost price and number of units in each pack.”
At the moment, Priceline are offering home delivery as well as the option to buy in-store.
How much do they cost?
A 50-pack of KN95 Disposable Face Masks is $249, a 10-pack is $51.99, and a 35-pack of ALPHA PRO Tech Face Mask N95 is $209.
What else you need to know
Priceline is encouraging customers to have a conversation with their pharmacist to understand what face mask is appropriate for them.
Kmart
What are the restrictions?
So far, there are no limits on buying masks at Kmart – but stores are running low on stock. They’re available online at the moment, and in-store if you’re lucky.
How much do they cost?
The 10-pack Disposable Facemask with Earloop is $10. These masks are three-ply, which is recommended by the Victorian government as the most effective number of layers to filter out small particles in the air.
Big W
What are the restrictions?
There are none so far. Limited stores have masks on shelves, and Click and Collect is also available. There’s no home delivery at the moment.
How much do they cost?
Piksters Shield Face Mask 10-pack are $20. These masks have three layers and are TGA approved.
Bunnings
What are the restrictions?
Customers are allowed to buy a maximum of 50 masks. At the moment masks are available in-store and online, and also available for Click and Collect when possible.
How much do they cost?
A pack of 10 Sojo disposable face masks is $10. These three-layer masks have adjustable nose shaping for a close fit. All Bunnings staff in Victoria are now required to wear a mask also.
Chemist Warehouse
What are the restrictions?
Chemist Warehouse hasn’t put restrictions on face masks – but they have lowered the cost of some of their single-use masks to make them accessible for everyone.
You can buy online or in-store and they’ve also opened up a Click and Collect option in some stores, depending on your location, so you don’t have to queue when you arrive.
How much do they cost?
A 50-pack of Softmed Face Masks is now just $49 and a 10-pack is $12.99.
What else you need to know
There is currently free shipping on online orders over $50. But be quick to buy – they’ve reportedly sold 1.5 million masks within a 24-hour period.
Where can I buy face masks online?
Lots of clothing stores are selling face masks online. Although lots have sold out, many are offering pre-orders so you can order now and have the masks sent to you when they arrive.
Cotton On, Bonds and Culture Kings currently have masks in-stock. Some shops such as The Social Studio and SisterWorks restock at 9am and 7am every day, so if you’re ready you can be first in the virtual queue.
Can I make my own face mask?
Yes. Homemade cloth masks should be made from three layers in order to be effective.
You’ll need three pieces of fabric of about 25cm x 25cm. These should include a water-resistant fabric for the outer layer (active wear or a reusable shopping bag works well), a fabric blend for the middle layer (such as an old T-shirt) and water-absorbing cotton for the inner layer, plus string or elastic to tie it around your face.
To make an effective mask, follow the guidelines from the Victorian government.
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