Epidemiologists say masks will stop the spread of Covid-19 as NSW cases surge

Experts have urged NSW to bring back mask rules amid daily case records. Here’s the reason a leading epidemiologist believes it’s a crucial step.

There are growing calls for NSW to reintroduce mandatory masks as the Omicron strain continues to spread with leading epidemiologists and health authorities pushing for residents to wear masks.

With the state smashing Covid-19 records daily and the tally for the past five days rising to more than 10,000 new cases, Premier Dominic Perrottet has ruled out reintroducing mask mandates.

Epidemiologists are now calling for masks to be reintroduced to indoor settings such as retail, expressing concern the lack of masks could be contributing to the spread of the virus.

Leading epidemiologist Professor Nancy Baxter said she supports bringing masks back in NSW.

Leading epidemiologist Professor Nancy Baxter said she supports bringing masks back in NSW.

“We only abandoned them relatively recently and we know the vaccine is less effective against Omicron but we know things like mask wearing are effective against any variant,” she told Today.

“It doesn’t matter what they are, they protect both the wearer and others from Covid.”

Professor Baxter said simply wearing a mask could “really reduce transmission substantially” and is the type of measure authorities should push to help control the outbreak.

“But you want to do it early because if you do it late it’s just not going to be as effective,” she said.

“So now is the time to do it, not in three weeks when the cases skyrocket.”

Labor frontbencher Bill Shorten is urging residents to wear masks in the lead up to Christmas so people aren’t disappointed over the festive period.

“Wear masks for goodness sake,” he said.

Some shoppers in Pitt St Mall are donning masks when others are not as NSW residents have eased restrictions despite very high Covid-19 numbers. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Simon Bullard

“I would rather wear a mask than have Christmas cancelled.”

Professor Baxter said there was still a lot of uncertainty around Omicron as health authorities determine its severity.

While there is some evidence it may be milder, but there are concerns about stress on the health care system.

“What we don’t want is Christmas to be a series of superspreading events that happens in everyone’s household,” she said.

Mr Perrottet on Sunday said vaccination and booster shots were key to keeping hospitalisations down.

He made no indication about bringing masks back, but said it was all about “personal responsibility”.

“I said the increasing cases will be come,” he said.

“What’s key to us is personal responsibility. Vaccination has been key, booster shots are crucial to keep people safe, and as we move through the next phase, case numbers will increase. That is the new normal.

“We’ll continue to monitor the situation. It’s a time for calm. But it’s also an important time to go out and get your booster shot. Because vaccination here has been key to New South Wales’s success. That’s not on the government, it’s on the people and our fantastic health teams.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet has ruled out reintroducing mask mandates. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Flavio Brancaleone

Earlier, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said wearing masks will continue to stop the spread of the virus.

“If you’re in proximity to people inside with a big group of people, consider wearing a mask,” he said on Sunday morning.

“But we also have to live our lives in a normal way coming into 2022.”

Other states across the country have reintroduced mask mandates with Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein announcing on Sunday the rule will be mandated across the state.

Masks will be mandatory in Tasmania across all indoor settings, public transport and ride shares from 12.01am Tuesday.

“We‘ve done this before. It’s important. In fact, a lot of Tasmanians are already doing it,” Mr Gutwein said.

Queensland has also introduced a statewide mask mandate as case numbers continue to grow.

With the virus being detected in the community masks are now mandatory in shops, hospitals, aged care, public transport and ride share vehicles.

However, the mask mandate did not cover workplaces, bars and clubs as they are open to only vaccinated patrons.

Originally published as Epidemiologists say masks will stop the spread of Covid-19 as NSW cases surge