CLT stores were promised N95 masks for distribution. When will you be able to pick them up?
Two weeks after the Biden administration announced its plan to distribute 400 million N95 masks to Americans in an effort to curb the rise in COVID-19 cases, some Charlotte-area pharmacies still don’t have them in stock.
The program, which was announced Jan. 19, is not expected to be fully operational until February.
N95 masks, which can filter out more than 95% of air particles, “offer the highest level of protection” against COVID-19, according to updated guidelines from the CDC.
The masks will be available at a number of participating pharmacies in the coming weeks, including CVS, Walgreens, Publix and Walmart according to the CDC.
Here’s when you can expect to find N95 masks at each pharmacy:
CVS
The first shipments of N95s were scheduled to arrive at CVS stores last week. They will continue to be delivered throughout the U.S. in the coming weeks, a spokesperson for CVS told the Observer in an emailed statement.
Walgreens
Mask shipments have not yet arrived at Walgreens locations in Charlotte, according to the company’s website store locator. The locator will be updated frequently as shipments arrive in-store.
Walmart
Masks should be available next week at more than 5,100 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations across the country, a Walmart told the Observer.
Publix
N95 masks will start shipping to stores this weekend and arrive throughout the coming week, a Publix spokesperson said in a statement.
Harris Teeter
Complimentary masks are available this week at branded displays inside every Harris Teeter store with a pharmacy, according to a company news release.
How many masks can I get?
Every person is allowed up to three free masks, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
This story was originally published February 4, 2022 at 6:01 PM.
