Breaking news on free mask distribution: amid the coronavirus outbreak, mask use remains vital and there has been an important update about free mask distribution. The latest development states that public institution employees and those employed with social security (SGK) coverage will no longer be able to obtain free masks from pharmacies. For people working at public institutions or working anywhere as SGK-registered employees, employers will be responsible for supplying masks.
According to the latest announcement, residents of Istanbul who work for public institutions or are employed with SGK at private workplaces will no longer receive free masks from pharmacies as part of coronavirus measures. The Istanbul Chamber of Pharmacists explained that this change aims to reduce the congestion experienced at pharmacies during free mask distribution. The decision followed consultations with the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency.
Employers Will Provide Masks for Employees
Employers will provide masks for employees. Across Istanbul, workers at public institutions and those who are SGK-registered employees at any workplace will have their masks supplied by their employer. As a result of this decision, pharmacies will stop distributing free masks to these groups. The change was made to ease the crowds at pharmacies that formed when masks were being distributed. The Istanbul Chamber of Pharmacists said the measure was adopted after discussions with the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency to help reduce congestion caused by the pandemic.
The Istanbul Chamber of Pharmacists’ statement clarifies that employees of public institutions and SGK-covered workers at private workplaces cannot benefit from the free mask program distributed by pharmacies. Instead, their workplace or employer will be responsible for providing masks. With this arrangement, pharmacies across Istanbul will no longer hand out masks to those under 20, those over 65, or to employees who are covered by public institutions or SGK—those groups should receive masks through their workplace.