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Auckland, August 24, 2020
Bupa New Zealand has supported a local business by buying more than 4000 fabric masks for all their staff across the country for their personal use outside of work time.
The individually sealed MEO Lite masks come complete with filters and are made by Healthy Breath Limited located in Mount Wellington, Auckland.
Enhancing personal safety
Bupa Remuera Care Home Clinical Manager Angela Ortinero said that while they have a stockpile of clinical masks for the team to wear inside their care home while working, the fabric masks enhance personal safety outside of work time.
“These masks will help to relieve any anxiety the team might have when they are moving around the community outside of their work hours. It’s really thoughtful to give these to us for use in our personal lives,” she said.
The masks have been distributed to each of the 48 care homes, 34 retirement villages and seven rehabilitation sites across New Zealand, with enough for every staff member.
The reusable masks are easily washable and include an outer fabric to repel droplets, a filter cover, and an inner fabric to absorb droplets. Based on emerging evidence, the World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its guidance to recommend people who are well should wear masks in situations where they aren’t able to stay physically distant.
Additional incentives
Ms Ortinero said that as one of the largest aged care providers, Bupa is offering other additional support initiatives to all team members such as a special Covid-19 leave, if needed,
All Bupa care homes are currently closed to visitors and infection, prevention and control measures have been in place since Alert Levels were restored at midnight on August 11, 2020.
Healthy Breath Ltd General Manager Cherie Chen said that masks help to reduce transmission of Covid-19 in the community.
“We are pleased to work with Bupa New Zealand and wish to thank them for their support of New Zealand business, New Zealand made products, and Kiwi creatives,“ she said.
The Health Ministry is now recommending people to wear face coverings in public places where physical distancing cannot be observed.
About Bupa
Bupa is a diverse health and care group, which has been committed to a purpose of longer, healthier, happier lives for more than 70 years.
In New Zealand, Bupa supports thousands of residents and clients through a range of health and care services including aged care, independent living, rehabilitation and dental services.
Employing more than 4000 people in New Zealand, the Group believes that it can make a real difference to the lives of New Zealanders through its values, purpose and the way that its delivers personalised care.
For more information about Bupa visit www.bupa.co.nz
