(WWJ)) - In a bid to fight the spread of COVID-19, Kroger has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide free non-surgical N95 at your neighborhood store.
Grocery retailer announced on Tuesday that, beginning immediately, all Kroger locations with a pharmacy will serve as a free-access point for the complimentary masks... while supplies last.
"Kroger is grateful for the ongoing role we're able to play in helping our associates and customer protect themselves and our communities against COVID-19," said The Kroger Co. of Michigan President, Ken DeLuca in a press release.
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"We have many accessible stores across the region and invite our customer to visit to pick up free non-surgical respirator masks for their household."
Customers are allowed up the three free-surgical N95 masks which can be found at branded displays in Kroger stores with a pharmacy. The company also strongly encouraged employees to pick up masks for themselves and their families.
Kroger joins a list of growing grocery and pharmacy retailers committed to distributing free N95 masks in communities across the nation to try and slow the spread of COVID-19's more contagious omicron variant. Meijer, Walmart, CVS, Publix and more have joined in on what the Biden Administration is calling the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in U.S. history.
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The push for better access to N95 masks comes after health officials said N95 masks proved more effective against the omicron variant and encouraged people to switch from cloth masks for better protection.
In addition to providing N95 masks, Kroger pharmacies continue to offer COVID-19 vaccines and testing services.
"Wearing a mask and getting vaccinated continue to be the top defense tools in our nation's fight against COVID-19," said Dr. Marc Watkins, Kroger's Chief Medical Officer.
"I encourage everyone to take advantage of the free non-surgical N95 masks and make an appointment today to get vaccinated or boosted."
To make an appointment for a CVOID vaccine or booster, please visit kroger.com/covidvaccine to schedule at your local Kroger pharmacy.
For more information about COVID-19 in the state of Michigan, please visit michigan.gov.