Free N95 Masks To Be Given Out At Publix, Winn-Dixie, Walgreens

FLORIDA — Free N95 masks will be given out at Publix, Costco, Winn-Dixie and other pharmacy locations in Florida starting Friday as part of the Biden administration's effort to increase access to high-quality masks, multiple outlets have reported.

The administration plans to distribute 400 million N95 masks throughout the nation, according to The White House.

More than 750 million of the masks are available in the government's Strategic National Stockpile, WFLA reported. Pharmacies and community health centers will also have the masks available for pickup.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be the largest distribution of free masks by the federal government to the public, the news station said.

"The move comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance to emphasize N95s last week- and as the government starts to mail at-home test kits to Americans," NPR reported.

Masks are available on a first-come, first-served basis and available while supplies last. A person is limited to three masks.

Among the pharmacy companies participating in the mask distribution are:

• Costco

• CVS Pharmacy

• Publix Super Markets, Inc.

• Food Lion

• Giant Food

• Rite Aid Corp.

• Winn-Dixie

• ShopRite

• Wegmans

• Weis Markets

• Walgreens (including Duane Reade)

• Walmart (including Sam’s Club)

Find a full list of free mask giveaways on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on the St. Pete Patch