Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday the Department of Health and Human Services will be distributing 10 million free KN95 masks to help protect residents from COVID-19.

The masks will be distributed by local MDHHS offices, health departments and Area Agency on Aging offices.

“We have the tools and we know what works as we face down the Omicron variant of COVID-19,” said Gov. Whitmer. “By distributing 10 million highly-effective KN95 masks, we can keep families and communities safe. I encourage Michiganders to pick up a free KN95 mask at their local MDHHS office, public health department, or community organization. Together, we can keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.”

To find out where you can get a free mask, please visit Michigan.gov/MaskUpMichigan.

“We are urging Michiganders to mask up to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities from COVID-19,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Wearing masks are important in helping limit the spread of COVID-19, particularly the easily spread omicron and delta variants. Today’s distribution of KN95 masks will help more Michiganders limit the spread of COVID to save lives and get back to normal sooner.”

The masks being provided by MDHHS are in addition to 400 million N95 masks being made available by the Biden administration to pharmacies and health centers from the Strategic National Stockpile. CVS, Costco, Meijer, Walgreens, Kroger, Rite Aid, Walmart and Sam's Club are among the many Michigan retailers that joined the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program to begin free distribution of N95 masks.