Sydney made face masks mandatory during 1919 Spanish flu pandemic

A century before COVID-19 devastated the world, Sydneysiders were forced to don masks and undergo lockdowns during an earlier pandemic, the Spanish flu.

Facing up to the pandemic and its mask mandate in Sydney has reminded us that the more things change the more they stay the same.

A century before COVID-19 devastated the world, Sydneysiders were forced to don masks and undergo lockdowns and social distancing during an earlier pandemic, the Spanish flu.

The deadly influenza strain made landfall in Australia in 1919, infecting about a third of the population and killing nearly 15,000 in under a year.

1919: People wearing masks in Sydney during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918-1919.
2021: Victoria and Olivia Gore on George Street, Sydney on Wednesday. Picture: Justin Lloyd

More than 100 years later, a mask is once again the accessory you legally can’t leave the house without although experts say they are now much more effective in stopping the spread of the virus.

City historian Lisa Murray said the Spanish flu impacted all Sydneysiders. “The State government introduced social distancing on the 31st of January 1919 and libraries, schools, churches and public halls were all closed,” Ms Murray said.

“Mask wearing was then made compulsory on the 3rd of February and was actually declared ‘Mask Day’ as a big push.

“The requirement to wear masks in public was enforced by police and fines were issued.”

People in masks on George Street during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918-1919.

Ann-Kristin Boeger and Jana Kellner on George Street on Wednesday. Picture:Justin Lloyd

UNSW epidemiologist, Marylouise McLaws said masks which help stop the spread of virus and influenza have come a long way since 1919.

“They had it right in 1919 by wearing a mask as any barrier between you and an influenza helps,” she said. “However, the World Health Organisation has introduced a new standard of cloth masks which is three layered and this shows the single layered cloth mask in 1919 may have not been very effective.”

In a year when COVID-19 devastated the world, it’s timely to reflect on the striking parallels of an earlier pandemic, the Spanish Flu.

Masks, lockdowns and restrictions, the influenza made landfall in Australia in 1919, infecting about a third of all Australians and nearly 15,000 died in under a year.

More than 100 years later, a mask is once again the accessory you can’t leave the house without and experts say they are now more effective in stopping the spread of the virus.

People in masks on George Street during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918-1919.

A masked policeman in Martin Place. Picture: Christian Gilles

City Historian Lisa Murray said the Spanish Flu affected the lives of all Sydneysiders.

“The State government introduced social distancing on the 31st of January 1919 and libraries, schools, churches and public halls were all closed,” Ms Murray said.

“Mask wearing was then made compulsory on the 3rd of February and was actually declared ‘Mask Day’ as a big push to get everyone wearing masks.”

“The requirement to wear masks in public was enforced by police and fines were issued for anyone that didn’t comply with the rules.”

UNSW epidemiologist, Marylouise McLaws said masks which help stop the spread of virus and influenza have come a long way since 1919.

“They had it right in 1919 by wearing a mask as any barrier between you and an influenza helps, as long as it is dry,” Ms McLaws said.

“However, the World Health Organisation has introduced a new standard of cloth masks which is three layered and this shows the single layered cloth mask in 1919 may have not been very effective.”

“Recent studies show a two layered cotton masks is somewhere between 82 per cent and 99 per cent effective but is still not up to the international standard.”