A new Public Health Direction has made face masks mandatory for domestic commercial air travellers in and out of the ACT, and while in the Canberra Airport.
In a statement, Canberra Airport said the Direction came into effect last week (22 January) and was in line with the commitment all jurisdictions had made as the National Cabinet to implement the mask policy for all domestic air travel across Australia.
“This new Direction will mean people 12 years and above, including workers who interact with the public, must wear face masks while inside the Canberra Airport terminal and during domestic commercial flights in and out of Canberra,” airport management said.
“Although face masks will not be required outside the terminal, passengers embarking and disembarking a flight on the tarmac must keep them on,” it said.
“People will be permitted to remove their face mask to ascertain their identity when going through security or when eating and drinking or taking medication both in the airport terminal and during a flight.”
The airport said people could also remove their masks during an emergency and to communicate effectively, for example, with someone who was hearing impaired.
It said there were exceptions to the Direction, including infants and children under the age of 12, as well as for people with a disability or who had a medical condition that made wearing a face mark unsuitable.
“Under the Direction, face masks must be designed or made to be worn over the mouth and nose, and should fit securely around your face to provide the wearer with protection against infection,” it said.
“A scarf or bandana is not considered an appropriate face mask,” it said.
Further information on the Public Health Direction can be accessed on the Territory’s COVID-19 information website at this PS News link.
