Where and How to get FREE N95 Face Masks in the United States

To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit.

The global pandemic continues to cause many changes around the country, like travel advisories and canceled flights.

Masks are still required indoors at Disney World

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 causes case numbers to increase, President Biden announced that the government would be providing 400 million N95 masks to pharmacies and community health centers over the next few weeks, according to CNBC. There is already a way to get free at-home COVID-19 tests, but if you’re wondering how to get the free face masks, we’re here to tell you.

The CDC suggests for people to wear the “most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently” and also mentions in its updated guidance that N95s offer the “highest level of protection,” according to CNBC. There are knock-off masks out there, so here’s how you can make sure you’re getting a legitimate N95 mask.

©Grace Cary via Getty Images

The best way to guarantee you’re getting legitimate N95 masks is to get one directly from a health-care professional, according to CNBC. The government has begun giving out 3 free N95 masks to every person that visits a community health center, as well as participating pharmacies and retailers like CVS, Costco, and Walmart.

©Walmart

To find a health center near you, you can visit the government website here. And, to see which pharmacies and retailers are participating in the program in your state, you can visit the CDC website here. It’s recommended to call ahead to check on availability, because the program will only be “fully up and running by early February,” according to a White House official.

Face mask signage

“Last week masks began shipping and arriving at pharmacies and grocers around (the) country. We expect that throughout the week the number of stores and N95s arriving to scale up significantly,” an administration official recently told CNN.

Health and Safety Signage at Disneyland, May 2021

Flyers are arriving with the masks as well, which say that “up to 3 free masks are available to every person in the U.S.” according to CNN. It also directs people to the CDC website and has a QR code with instructions on how to properly put on and take off the masks.

If you’re going to buy a mask, make sure to stick with N95s approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Also, use trustworthy retailers that work directly with mask manufacturers, like CVS or Home Depot. You can also buy a mask from the manufacturers’ own websites, like 3M or Honeywell, according to CNBC.

Stay tuned to DFB for more news and updates.