Free masks in Ludlow for those in need

A Herefordshire manufacturer will give out free masks help keep people safe in South Shropshire next month.

Ross-on-Wye based Ultrafilter Medical will visit Ludlow on Saturday 5 February as part of its ‘Big Mask Giveaway’ campaign.

The programme will see the company donate one million masks - worth over £1 million - across the country to help protect members of the public in the ongoing fight against Covid-19.

While face coverings will no longer be compulsory in England from this Thursday, their effectiveness in reducing transmission of the virus means they are still advised in enclosed or crowded places, with the Health Minister Sajid Javid recently admitting that he will continue to wear a face mask when shopping because prevalence of coronavirus is still “quite high.”

Families who would otherwise struggle to afford masks will be welcome to collect a box of 50 UK-manufactured, medical-grade Ultramasks free of charge from Event Square (in front of Ludlow Castle) between 11am and 1pm on Saturday 5 February.

Philip Dunne MP added: “I am extremely grateful to Ultrafilter, who started giving away one million facemasks in boxes of 50 for free last month. I know there will be local people who are concerned about the rising cost of living, and I have encouraged the local food bank and others to collect some for those in need, so they do not have to bear the cost of buying new masks.”