Victorians living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are now recommended to wear face masks in situations where they leave home and physical distancing is not possible.
Premier Daniel Andrews announced the Chief Health Officer’s recommendations based on new evidence from global medical experts, increased community transmission in Victoria, and the release of a factsheet on face masks by the Federal Department of Health.
In a statement, Mr Andrews said over two million reusable masks and one million more single-use masks are to be ordered to ensure Victorians have access to the added protection.
“Studies have recently shown that, even when factoring in imperfections and human error, wearing face masks can reduce transmission of coronavirus by around 60 per cent,” Mr Andrews said.
“Before this study, advice around the effectiveness of face masks in reducing transmission has been contradictory and lacking in evidence,” he said.
Mr Andrews said the State’s Chief Health Officer had updated his advice, now recommending that anyone living in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire wear a mask when leaving their homes if it wasn’t possible to maintain physical distancing.
“This is a health recommendation only and will not be enforced – people will not be fined for not wearing a face mask,” he said.
The national Department of Health’s factsheet says wearing a mask could help protect individuals and those around them if they were in an area with community transmission and physical distancing was not possible, like on public transport.
The factsheet provides guidance on when and how to wear a mask properly, including sanitising hands before touching the mask and putting it on.
The one-page fact sheet can be accessed at this PS News link.
