Mask rules you need to know: how the states and territories compare

More states have issued mask mandates amid growing Omicron cases. Here’s how the rules look across Australia.

The Prime Minister may say that the federal government isn’t in the business of ordering mask mandates – but state and territory leaders have different ideas.

After Wednesday’s National Cabinet meeting, Scott Morrison said mandates were not a matter for his government but urged Australians to wear masks indoors.

“Mask wearing in indoor spaces in public areas is, of course, highly recommended, whether it’s mandated or not.” he said.

“That’s what we should be doing in the same way as we go into the summer season (and) people will be slapping on their sunscreen.

“There’s no rule or requirement to do that – but it is strongly recommended health advice (so mask use) is in the same category.

“And so Australians have common sense and they know what they need to do to protect their own health.”

Despite Mr Morrison’s optimistic outlook, every state and territory in Australia has mandated mask rules to ensure people get the message.

Professor Paul Kelly has called for a mask mandate. Picture Gary Ramage

The ACT this week reintroduced an indoor mask mandate as concern about the Omicron Covid-19 variant’s spread in neighbouring NSW.

The move came after Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly had written to Mr Morrison, state premiers and territory chief ministers calling for masks to be imposed.

In the Northern Territory, Alice Springs and Amoonguna community implemented a mask mandate for 48 hours inside public spaces and venues after recent cases.

Speaking on behalf of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), Prof Kelly said mask mandates should be reimposed “prior to Omicron case escalation to have maximum benefit”.

It comes as a study examining the connection between wearing face masks and a reduction in Covid-19 deaths found that countries that implemented national mask mandates had lower death rates per million people than countries that did not enforce mask rules.

Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine last month, the study examined 44 countries in Asia and Europe, including Greece, Germany, South Korea, Italy, the UK, Sweden and Hong Kong.

Throughout the pandemic, mask mandates have come and gone, but are on the rise again as cases caused by the Omicron variant cause a growing global surge of infections.

Here’s how Australia’s states and territories are dealing with mask mandates:

WA

Western Australia has avoided going into a lockdown before Christmas, but masks will return after a man infected with Covid-19 visited multiple spots across Perth, including shops and nightclubs.

From 6pm on Thursday until at least 6am on Tuesday, people in the Perth and Peel regions will be forced to wear a mask.

It will be mandatory in all public indoor settings, including workplaces, shopping centres, hospitality venues and public transport.

The mask mandate will not apply at home or for people doing vigorous indoor exercise, but it is recommended outside when you cannot physically distance.

“We are urging people just to use common sense,” Premier Mark McGowan told reporters on Thursday afternoon.

Large public events, such as music festivals, will be cancelled, while nightclubs will also be closed and all dancing will be banned except for weddings.

The mask rules will also apply to anyone who has been in Perth or Peel since December 16 and is now in a different part of the state.

“I know this is not the news we wanted to hear two days before Christmas, but unfortunately this is the reality of Covid-19,” Mr McGowan said.

Premier Mark McGowan addressed reporters on Thursday afternoon to say masks would return. Picture: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

“No matter how hard our border controls, the virus can sneak into WA. We now need to face the potential of community transmission in Perth and Peel.

“That’s why I’m asking everyone to please do the right thing over this period. While our contact tracers and testing staff do their work, we all need to do our bit.”

In a social media post earlier on Thursday, Geisha Bar in Northbridge confirmed they were among the venues that had been contacted by health authorities.

“We’ve been contacted by WA Health and we’ve been informed that Geisha Bar was an exposure site on Saturday night/Sunday morning between the hours of 12am and 3am,” they wrote.

“We are working with WA Health to provide all contact registers and we are waiting on further instructions.”

NSW

Indoor masks will be brought in from midnight on Friday in NSW after the state recorded 5715 new Covid-19 cases and one new death.

Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the new indoor mask rule on Thursday afternoon.

Hospitality venues must also abide by a new two square metre rule from December 27.

The new rules will be in place until January 27.

“We believe today’s changes are modest, cautious and take a precautionary approach. As we move through this holiday period to the end of January the system is in a very strong position,” Mr Perrottet said.

Mr Perrottet said NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant had advised him on Thursday the Omicron strain appeared less severe than the Delta strain.

“It looks like the Omicron will be probably five times less severe than Delta,” he said.

“The early signs are encouraging.”

Mr Perrottet also said people should not get tested if they weren’t asked to or did not feel unwell.

“If you don’t feel unwell, and you’re not required to get tested by NSW Health, please don’t, because your spot in the queue is taking the place or slowing down people who are sick, who are required by New South Wales Health to get tested. But in addition to that, it also slows down our capacity to get that test result back,” he said.

Dr Chant said about 80 per cent of NSW cases are of the Omicron variant, which “largely explains the steep rise in cases”.

There are now 347 people in hospital with the virus, with 45 of those in intensive care.

Cases have increased by almost 2000 since Wednesday, when 3763 infections were reported.

There were 302 people in hospital on Wednesday, with 40 of those in ICU.

There were 160,471 tests conducted in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday.

Of the over 16 population, 93.5 per cent are double-dose vaccinated while 94.9 per cent have had at least one shot.

Meanwhile, Victoria recorded 2005 new infections and 10 more deaths on Thursday.

There are now 398 infected people in Victorian hospitals with 72 active patients in intensive care and 39 on ventilators.

Victoria’s Acting Premier James Merlino today announced that from midnight on Friday, face masks will be required in all indoor settings, except private homes, and for major events of more than 30,000.

Covid-19 is surging across the nation. Queensland reported 369 new cases, ACT 85 and Tasmania 26.

VIC

Masks will be made mandatory in all indoor settings in Victoria, as the state fights to contain a severe spread of the new Omicron variant.

From midnight on Friday, face masks will be required in all indoor settings except for private homes for people over eight years-old, and for major events of more than 30,000.

“Victoria is in one of the strongest positions really of any place around the world to combat this new fast-paced variant,” Deputy Premier James Merlino said.

“That said, we still need to be smart, we still need to protect ourselves and our loved ones from getting sick and ensure our health care workers are not being overwhelmed.”

The new rule will force people attending major events, including the Boxing Day cricket Test, to wear masks.

Punters will be allowed to remove face coverings while seated.

Mr Merlino denied the state would be plunged back into lockdown.

“This is a sensible response which will allow businesses to stay open, bars and restaurants to continue to stay open and major events to go ahead,” he said.

“Masks are a cheap and effective way to maintain the health of the community and it‘s something public health experts have been calling for.”

Health Minister Martin Foley said the government also recommended people wear masks in crowded bars and nightclubs, although the rule is not mandatory.

“The recommendation is that if you want to be as safe as you can, do not (take your mask off in a crowded bar), but it won't be an order.

“There are so many events already planned - New Year’s, Christmas, etc - and in regards to what is proportionate and what is appropriate, I took the view that it was most appropriate to keep those locked in.

“Having said that, circumstances might well change.”

QLD

Masks are required in shops, retail outlets, public transport, airports, planes, hospitals, aged care facilities, prisons and detention centres.

TAS

Masks are mandatory across all indoor settings, public transport and ride shares.

SA

Masks are currently mandatory in health care services, passenger transport services, high risk settings, airports and aeroplanes, personal care, indoor public places and for people in quarantine. They are also strongly recommended for indoor workplaces and adult learning environments and optional in childhood education services.

ACT

Masks must be worn in all indoor settings including retail stores, work and public transport.

NT

Wearing masks inside all major Territory airports and while on aircraft is mandatory.

Originally published as Mask rules you need to know: how the states and territories compare