Health officials are pushing for extension to mandatory masks

Premier Dominic Perrottet says all options will be considered over health officials’ last-minute push for mandatory masks after 95 per cent of people are fully vaccinated.

Government ministers will consider a range of different advice when considering whether to change mask rules, Premier Dominic Perrottet says.

The comments indicate that a push from Health officials to keep masks mandatory in certain settings - like retail - may not be successful.

Mr Perrottet said elected officials will have the final decision on whether mask requirements will end in most settings as planned on December 15.

“It is the role of the public service to provide fearless and frank advice to the executive and the elected officials. It’s our job to consider that advice and make a decision,” he said,

Premier Dominic Perrottet says he wants consistency on the issue of masks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Mr Perrottet acknowledged there is “inconsistency” in certain mask rules, like a requirement to wear masks in office cafeterias - even though masks are not required in other parts of office buildings.

“As we’ve opened up, we made a decision which I was very passionate about, that we shouldn’t have facemasks in offices. Now if that leads to an inconsistency, I will take that inconsistency over us all sitting here today wearing masks,” he said.

However he said that he wanted “as much consistency across the board as possible” with settings where masks are needed.

MASK EXTENSION POSSIBLE PAST CHRISTMAS

Masks could continue to be compulsory in retail shops after 95 per cent of over-16s are fully vaccinated, under a last-ditch push from public health officials.

NSW has some of the most stringent mask rules in Australia, despite boasting vaccination coverage second only to the ACT – but the Telegraph has learnt there is a rally from bureaucrats to keep us in masks even longer.

The current rules, including the need to wear a mask in common areas of apartment buildings, are not set to be ­removed until unvaccinated residents are given extra freedoms, likely on December 15.

But, behind closed doors, it is understood that NSW health officials are pushing for continued mask wearing in “certain settings” beyond December 15.

There is a push for us to continue wearing masks past December 15. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Retail is believed to be one setting where officials are wary about easing mask rules, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said it was “understandable” that health officials would be focused on reducing risk, considering cases in Europe are again skyrocketing.

“At times like the mad ­retail rush we’ll see at Black Friday and Christmas it ­becomes pretty clear why Health will be likely to have continuing concerns,” he said.

A push from public health officials will be a test for Premier Dominic Perrottet, who would face a divided party room over the issue. 

Cabinet’s Covid-19 subcommittee will consider mask requirements at a meeting on Thursday, with senior ministers expected to discuss whether rules can be loosened faster than expected.

“Any potential changes to the road map will take into ­account the evolving nature of the pandemic and consider the relevant health, safety and economic advice,” a spokesman for Mr Perrottet said.

Masks are no longer required in offices, but are still needed in retail shops and in hospitality venues when patrons aren’t eating or drinking.

In one apparent anomaly, masks must be worn when ­ordering a coffee in an office cafeteria, even though they are not required in other areas of office buildings.

In a statement, NSW Health said masks are “particularly effective in indoor settings”. “Wearing masks in indoor settings and on public transport provides an important layer of protection from Covid-19 transmission, as it does in other settings where physical distancing may not be possible or is difficult,” a spokeswoman said.

Retail shopping is one area where people may still be forced to be masked. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Masks are compulsory in NSW in more settings than in Victoria, despite that state having a lower vaccination coverage at 89.6 per cent and a rolling average of 1000 new cases each day.

Queenslanders only have to wear masks in airports and on domestic flights in line with Commonwealth rules, after the state passed the 80 per cent first-dose threshold.

Infectious diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon said masks help decrease the risk of transmission but other measures, such as social distancing and vaccination, are much more effective.

“There is a benefit but not as big as everybody thinks,” he said.

“Summer itself will have a much bigger protective effect than masks will.”