Where to buy face masks with fast delivery to South Australia right now
Face coverings are now strongly encouraged for all South Australians as the state plunges into a six-day lockdown.
As South Australia's COVID-19 cluster continues to grow, Premier Steven Marshall has announced a six-day state-wide lockdown to control the spread of the virus.
From midnight tonight (Wednesday 18 November) regional travel will no longer be allowed; schools, universities, cafes and restaurants will close; and exercise will not be permitted outside of the home.
The South Australian Health Department is also now strongly recommending that all South Australians wear a face mask when out in public. If you need to get your hands on one, we've rounded up a list of stores offering fast shipping to South Australian suburbs and who have stock as of this writing.
1. Clear Collective
Sydney-based brand Clear Collective stocks a range of reusable and disposable masks for adults and kids and offers express shipping options.
2. Chemist Warehouse
Pharmacy Chemist Warehouse currently has a range of mask and face-shield options available, and typically ships orders to Adelaide metropolitan areas within two days and to South Australian country areas within three to four days.
3. THE ICONIC
Fashion retailer THE ICONIC is now stocking face masks in both plain and fashion-forward designs. Orders to Adelaide metro areas arrive within three to four business days, while orders to South Australian country areas arrive within three to six business days.
4. Kogan
Shopping platform Kogan has a massive selection of masks available, with most qualifying for fast delivery. This means that your order will leave the warehouse within one to two days and arrive within one to five business days. Express shipping is also available on some items.
5. Cotton On
Fashion retailer Cotton On has a range of affordable masks available that can be express shipped or picked up via click and collect.
6. Officeworks
Officeworks stocks a huge range of face masks, including surgical, KN95 and reusable options. Standard next-day delivery is available to most South Australian suburbs, as is a free click and collect service.
7. Clinical Supplies
Stocking TGA-approved masks in bulk packs of 20 through to 500, Clinical Supplies typically delivers orders Australia-wide within one to three business days.
8. Dick Smith
Electronics retailer Dick Smith is currently offering fast delivery on a range of face masks, including N95, surgical and reusable options. Orders are set to leave the warehouse in one to two business days, with express shipping options also available.
For a more extensive list, you can see our guide on where to buy face masks in Adelaide and South Australia.
Will I get a fine for not wearing a mask?
Currently, face masks have not been made mandatory in South Australia, so non-compliance will not result in a fine. However, at a press conference held earlier today, chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier said, "We will be looking at having more stricter conditions for wearing masks but we know it takes people a little bit of time to get a mask."
"If people are watching this, I would like you to get online and have a look at other ways of having the disposable masks or cloth masks which are also very effective."
Alternatives to face masks
If you are still waiting for your face mask to arrive, you can also cover up using alternate options such as bandanas, scarves or handkerchiefs.
You can also opt to make your own homemade face mask using materials you may have laying around or you may want to invest in a protective face shield.
However, it is important to remember that mask alternatives do not properly cover the nose and mouth, and they should only be used as a temporary solution.
A study published in journal Science Advances back in August found that neck gaiters and bandanas were among the worst-performing masks when it comes to blocking droplet transmission.
N95 masks, surgical masks and cotton masks meanwhile ranked as the most effective mask types.
Want more help with masks? Check out our overview of face masks, how to choose the best one, what doctors recommend when using them, the rules that apply in Australia and our regularly-updated guide on where to buy masks.
