Reusable face masks Ireland: Where to get one following updated guidelines

Face masks have been subject to discussion since the Covid-19 pandemic started, with many people having the opinion they should be mandatory when out in public.

With the government's reopening plan moving on to phase two, workplaces beginning to open and a surge of people using public transport again, the demand for masks is rising.

 

You can purchase boxes of disposable single-use face masks as well as washable ones, but due to their demand shops are often sold out.

People are being encouraged to wear face masks in public, on public transport or where social distancing is hard to follow. (Gareth Chaney/Collins)

Here's some shops, both offline and online you can purchase a face mask in Ireland.

Boots

Boots shops are selling both plain reusable face masks and boxes of single use ones. They can be purchased in store or online.

Vistaprint.ie

Vistaprint are selling a good variety of reusable cloth face masks at the moment.

There's lots of different patterns, colours and sizes available for €18 each.

Irish Designers

Many Irish designers have created reusable face masks ranging in price point that might appeal to you if you're after a more personalised or fashionable mask than the standard white ones you can see on the street.

Eamon McGill Design has released a collection of face masks for 2020 which cost €22.25 per mask.

He's also designed customised bride and groom masks for Covid-19 weddings.

We Make Good sell items that were designed by some of Ireland's newest designers and then made by people facing social challenges.

Their cloth masks are made by employees of The Textile Studio, a charity that employs and helps refugee women.

When you purchase one of their masks for €25, another one will be donated to someone in Direct Provision.

DIY Mask

If you're on a budget, have a lot of old clothes you can scrap for material or are simply bored in lockdown, you could always give making your own reusable mask a try.

A sewing tutorial for a reusable mask by The Stitching Scientist. (thestitchingscientist.com)

There's a lot of very useful Youtube tutorials out there that cater to people of all levels of crafting skills, whether they are willing to sew or would rather not touch a needle and thread.

Masks can be made from materials like cotton or silk but it's recommended that you use two or more layers of fabric for the mask to be effective.