Covid masks Gold Coast: Everything you need to know about when you must and don’t have to wear them
Confusion over mask wearing has led to medical staff being abused by anti-maskers, with Coast GPs warning the virus is circulating on the Gold Coast so residents should 'mask up'.
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WITH fears Covid is loose on the Gold Coast, GPs say masks must still be worn in certain settings, despite the government winding back its mandate at 80 per cent one dose.
One doctor said confusion over whether face masks were still required had led to a staff member being verbally abused to the point she was in tears and had to be counselled by a psychologist.
Another medical centre has called security numerous times to remove abusive patients has put up a poster explaining acceptable code of conduct.
Tamborine Mountain Medical Practice GP Leeann Carr-Brown criticised the timing of the government’s announcement that masks were no longer mandatory, especially on the Gold Coast where the virus was likely to be freely circulating.
“All GP clinics and hospitals are still requiring people who enter their facilities to wear a mask,” said Dr Carr-Brown.
“On Thursday a receptionist was in tears after being abused by a patient who refused to wear a mask when asked to.
“There’s no point in shooting the messenger for a start. Our staff member was so traumatised she needed counselling afterwards, it’s just not acceptable for people to abuse staff like that.
“Can I also remind the public that we are not cafes, we are medical centres who have sick people visiting here every day.”
Dr Carr-Brown said the two unlinked cases detected on the Gold Coast was evidence the virus was spreading silently through the community among younger unvaccinated people who weren’t having any symptoms.
“It’s only when an older person has symptoms and gets tested is it detected,” she said.
“Now is not the time to be relaxed about mask wearing. People need to stop being selfish.”
This week Queensland hit 80 per cent first dose, but the Gold Coast is yet to reach the milestone and is at 79.2 per cent, with the double dose rate nudging 64 per cent.
A Queensland Health (QH) spokesman said it urged people to wear a mask if they could not socially distance or in an environment where the Covid risk was higher.
“This includes when visiting higher-risk environments like public and private health facilities to protect patients, staff and visitors,” they said.
“As with all business owners, GPs have every right to ask visitors to wear masks to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission on their premises.”
On its website, QH has a statement that reads: "Given the recent case in the Gold Coast, anyone visiting or living in the Gold Coast should consider wearing a face mask when going out".
Dr Lisa Beecham, a Robina GP, said with the unlinked community cases on the Gold Coast she was advising patients to wear masks, with signs saying they’re required within the medical centre.
“We now have a code of conduct poster up as our receptionists have been abused and security called to remove patients who’ve being abusive to our lovely receptionists,” she said.
“These women are part of the heroes of the pandemic. They are our frontline when patients have rung with Covid symptoms they explain the pathway of telehealth and redirect to respiratory clinics if exam needed.
“Please respect all health care staff when you are told to wear a mask or not come into the practice with respiratory symptoms.”
Dr Kat McLean, from Haan Health, said masks helped keep vulnerable patients safe, protected those who weren’t immunised and reduced the risk a practice would have to shut for two weeks if it ended up being an exposure site.
“Our risk is increasing and unfortunately the political messaging hasn’t reflected this,” she said.
A Gold Coast Health spokeswoman said while there were cases of community transmission around the Gold Coast, it would continue to ask staff and visitors to wear masks when visiting its hospitals and community health facilities.
“Masks are required indoors, except when seated and socially distanced or when eating/drinking,” she said.
“We thank the community for doing their part in keeping the Gold Coast safe and follow the Government’s advice to consider wearing a mask when going out, despite the easing of mask restrictions across the state.”
"If Gold Coasters have not been vaccinated, we encourage them to do so, as soon as possible. It’s also very important, especially while there are cases of community transmission, for people to get tested if they have any symptoms.
"Gold Coast Health has testing locations at the Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Health Precinct. "
MASK RULES EXPLAINED - 11th November 2021
Queensland Health recommends everyone keep a mask with them so if they are in a situation where they can't maintain physical distancing, they have some added protection.
If you’ve been in an impacted or locked down area in past 14 days
You must continue to wear a mask until 14 days have passed. There are currently no impacted areas in Queensland.
Queensland airports
You must carry a face mask and wear it in all indoor areas of a Queensland airport as well as outdoor passenger transport and passenger waiting areas, such as car parks and taxi ranks. Face masks do not need to be worn in outdoor areas of an airport unless you are in a passenger transport or passenger waiting area. Air crew and airport workers who are not interacting directly with passengers do not need to wear a face mask.
Domestic commercial flights
You must wear a face mask at all times if you are on a domestic commercial flight while the plane is at a Queensland airport or in Queensland airspace. Please note other states have similar rules in place regarding the wearing of face masks on planes and in airports.
Transport drivers
All transport drivers transporting people required to quarantine tor or from government arranged quarantine must have a transport plan (DOCX) and be endorsed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. This plan outlines personal protective equipment requirements.
Quarantined persons
If you are arriving to Queensland from overseas or a Covid hotspot and you are required to quarantine, you must wear a face mask at all times while travelling from the airport to your quarantine hotel. You must wear the mask until you arrive at your allocated room in government arranged accommodation.
Exceptions from wearing face masks
There are some exceptions to wearing a face mask, including:
- children under 12
- a person eating, drinking or taking medicine
- where visibility of the mouth is essential
- where a mask needs to be removed to clearly communicate
- a person with a particular medical condition or disability
- a person undergoing medical treatment
- if a person is asked to remove a face mask for identity purposes
- if wearing a mask creates a risk to a person’s health and safety
- in an emergency or when required by law
- in any circumstances when it’s not safe to wear a mask
- if you are an air crew member or airport worker who is not interacting directly with passengers.
People are still required by law to wear a mask in specific circumstances in Queensland.
More information is available at QH's face mask information page.
EXPLAINED: When you must wear face masks
July, 2021
MANY Gold Coasters are confused about when and where they need to wear face masks.
Face covering has been mandatory in southeast Queensland since June 29, and the mandate has now been extended a second time to July 30.
But across the city there appears to be a haphazard approach to mask wearing, with many people unsure exactly when they are required to don one.
Queensland Health says if in doubt wear one, with those caught not wearing one without an exemption liable for a $206 on-the-spot fine.
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Here are your questions answered:
When I’m collecting a drive-through order, do I need to wear one? Yes.
If I’m in the car with someone from my family do I need to wear one? No.
What about if I’m travelling with a person outside of my family? Yes, because you can’t socially distance.
Do I have to wear one if I’m having my photo taken? No.
When I’m at work, do I have to wear a mask? Yes, if you can’t socially distance from your colleagues.
When I watch my daughter playing netball, can I take my mask off to drink my takeaway coffee? Yes, but be sure to socially distance until you’re done.
I work behind a counter serving the public, do I need to wear a mask? Yes.
I’m appearing in court, must I wear one? Yes.
When I’m outside exercising strenuously, do I need to wear one? No.
What if I go for a walk by myself on the beach? No, as long as you keep 1.5m from others.
I drive a forklift and a mask makes my job unsafe. Do I need to wear one? No.
At my son’s weekday soccer practice, do I need to wear a mask? Yes.
When I go out for brunch do I need one? No, as long as you’re sitting down and eating or drinking
Should my waiter be wearing a mask? Yes.
My Uber/taxi driver wasn’t wearing a mask, should they be? Yes.
I’ve got a serious skin condition on their face. Am I exempt? Yes.
Do my children have to wear masks? Yes, if they are 12 or older
When I collect kids from school or daycare, do I need a mask? Yes.
I’m attending a wedding/funeral, do I need one? Yes, but the bride and groom are exempt.
My job involves teaching people who are hard of hearing, do I need to wear a mask? No, not if your work requires clear communication or visibility of your mouth.
I’ve got a breathing issue, do I need to wear a mask? No.
As a result of past experiences, I find it traumatic wearing one, am I exempt? Yes, particularly if doing so will cause adverse psychological impacts.
My elderly father is in a residential care facility and doesn’t need a mask. Do I? Yes you do, but he is exempt.
I feel claustrophobic, stressed and anxious wearing a mask, do I need one? No, those with a mental health condition are exempt.
When I visit my doctor to receive medical treatment, do I need to wear a mask? No, unless it’s for respiratory symptoms.
I visited someone in a prison/detention centre and staff weren't wearing masks, should they be? No, subject to the facility’s policies.
I’m about to visit an airport, do I need a mask? Yes, but there’s exceptions such as if you’re asked to remove it for identification by a customs officer.
Originally published as Covid masks Gold Coast: Everything you need to know about when you must and don’t have to wear them
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