Hated Covid rule to ease in Victoria within days as workers encouraged to return to the office

As hospitalisation rates continue to decline, masks will no longer be needed in most indoor settings across one state.

Masks will no longer be needed in most indoor settings within days across Victoria as Covid-19 hospitalisation rates continue to decline.

Health Minister Martin Foley made the announcement on Tuesday morning, urging workers to return to the office as a raft of Covid restrictions ease across the state.

From midnight on Friday, the public health recommendation for Victorians to work or study from home will be removed and masks will no longer be needed in indoor settings.

Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday said the government needed to do what was safe.

“We’ve seen Omicron peak, we’re now down the other side of that peak and hospital numbers are falling,” he said.

“It means there’s literally no rules, so we’ve come a long way.”

Health Minister Martin Foley has urged workers to return to the office. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Masks will only be required on public transport, in taxis, rideshare, on planes, indoors at airports, in hospitals or care facilities and for students in grade 3 or above at primary school.

Workers in hospitality, retail, the court system, and at justice and correctional centres will also need to continue to wear masks from Friday.

Students at secondary schools will no longer need to use face coverings, but workers at indoor events with more than 30,000 people will need them.

Masks are also required for people in “special circumstances”, such as if they have Covid-19 or are a close contact and leaving the home.

It is necessary for people who serve members of the public regularly to continue wearing masks.

In addition to lifting the mask mandate, remaining restrictions on elective surgery will lift from Monday, February 28.

Public hospitals are set to resume all surgery, with capacity based on individual assessment of staff availability and Covid-19 demands.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the decision was made in light of falling hospitalisations and infections. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis

The government had received criticism in the past week over its “slow” approach to changing the rules, with the opposition claiming it was slow to act.

Mr Andrews said the chief health officer had worked through a range of issues and the decision was made in a cautious manner.

“It’s not a tick and flick exercise, and I think people will take comfort in knowing that some consideration has gone into this,” he said.

“We made these changes as quickly as we could.”

The premier said it had taken time to come to the decision. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

The new rules have controversially kept a mask mandate for grade 3 students and above but scrapped the rule for high school students.

Mr Andrews said the rule was staying for those students due to vaccination rates.

“Secondary vax rates are much higher, in primary school there’s a whole lot of kids who can’t get vaccinated,” he said.

“When it comes to the last couple of years, it’s been very challenging, but you’ve got to do what’s safe.”

Originally published as Hated Covid rule to ease in Victoria within days as workers encouraged to return to the office