UCP’s drive-thru mask giveaway program comes to completion
By GILLIAN SLADE on August 5, 2020.
NEWS FILE PHOTO
The second distribution of non-medical masks for Albertans is now concluded, with 40 million masks handed out.
The UCP government says it was the first of its kind in Canada.
The provincial government has announced that it has no further plans to distribute additional masks. The program was to provide free non-medical masks to Albertans to supplement each person’s efforts to acquire their own supply of non-medical masks.
Most of the masks, 26.1 million, were distributed to the public at restaurants such as A&W, McDonald’s Canada and Tim Hortons in June and July. Five million masks were provided to 21 transit services in Alberta, including Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton for distribution to riders.
There were 2.5 million masks delivered to more than 1,000 places of worship for use by members of their congregations, and 2.6 million masks were delivered to municipalities where there was no easy access to A&W, McDonald’s Canada, Tim Hortons and to First Nations communities and Métis Settlements for distribution to residents.
Free shipping and delivery of the masks to each transit service was provided by 7-Eleven Canada.
Another 3.6 million masks were distributed to long-term care and seniors facilities, groups and organizations that support vulnerable Albertans, municipal and regional library boards, courthouses and food banks.
There were also 200,000 masks shipped directly to Albertans who could not access the drive-thru restaurant distribution process.
Community and social service partners who have developed their own distribution timelines may still have masks available for their own residents, clients and service users.
The government suggests that those who would like to use a mask, where physical distancing is not possible, should support their local pharmacies, grocery stores and hardware store when deciding where to buy a mask. Directions for making cloth masks are available online and there are also detailed instructions on how to wear a mask.
https://www.alberta.ca/masks.aspx
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