You Can Get Free Face Masks At These Spots Near Raleigh
North Carolina is one of the few states in the U.S. that is requiring face masks in public places statewide. This requirement went into effect on Friday, June 26 at 5 p.m. While finding masks and cloth coverings in stores may prove to be difficult as demand rises, there are a few spots around North Carolina offering free masks for you and your family.
Governor Roy Cooper announced that the state would still be in phase 2 until at least July 17 at 5 p.m. alongside the mask mandate. This means bars, nightclubs, movie theatres, and amusement parks are still on hold for reopening as of this time.
Local shops and online stores offer masks with various designs to really keep up with the trends. But if stock is low and you're struggling to find some, there are a couple back-up options you can turn to.
You can improvise masks at home made from fabrics, towels, and even socks. But if you're not looking to get your DIY on and are looking to save some time and money, there are some places where you can pick up masks for free.
In Orange County, many fire and police departments have set specific times and days where you can go and pick up free masks if you're in need.
Here are the spots where you can get them right now. They're on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Carrboro Fire Department Fire Station 1
When: Wednesdays & Saturdays
Address: 301 W. Main St., Carrboro, NC
Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Carrboro Fire Department Fire Station 2
When: Wednesdays & Saturdays
Address: 1411 Homestead Rd., Carrboro, NC
Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Carrboro Police Department
When: Mondays & Fridays
Address: 100 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro, NC
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
White Cross Fire Department
When: Monday through Friday
Address: 5722 Old Greensboro Rd., Chapel Hill, NC
Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Chapel Hill Fire Station 1
When: Wednesdays & Saturdays
Address: 403 Martin Luther King Blvd., Chapel Hill, NC
Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Chapel Hill Fire Station 3
When: Wednesdays & Saturdays
Address: 1615 East Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC
Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Orange Grove Fire Department
When: Tuesdays & Thursdays, from June 23 through July 2
Address: 6800 Orange Grove Rd., Hillsborough, NC
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cedar Grove Fire Department Station 2
When: Thursday, July 2
Address: 720 Hawkins Rd., Cedar Grove, NC
Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Chapel Hill Fire Stations 1 and 3 each have a limit of four masks per household in place, so keep that in mind when heading over to pick some up.
If you have expertise in making masks or have extras that you can donate, Chapel Hill Fire Station 1, Chapel Hill Fire Station 3, Hargraves Community Center, and Carrboro Police Department are also accepting donations.