Everything you need to know about where and when masks must be worn, and by whom

From today, masks are no longer required in most places. But there are still some people who will be forced to wear them, in some situations. Are you among them?

Victorian school children in years 3 to 6 are still required to wear masks, but not other year levels. Picture: iStock

A number of Victoria’s pandemic orders and public health recommendations changed from 11.59pm Friday, with mask mandates relaxed. The announcement comes as more Victorians receive their booster shots and hospitalisations decrease across the state. Public health recommendations to work and study from home have been lifted and masks will not be needed in most indoor settings, by the majority of people, the majority of the time.

Here is everything you need to know about when and where you will still be required to wear a mask from Saturday, and the occupations and workplaces for which they remain mandated.

Schools

Workers: Required to wear in all childhood centres and primary schools. Not required to wear in secondary schools.

Students: Children in years 3 to 6 are required to wear masks but not other year levels.

Offices

Workers: Not required to wear.

Justice and correctional facilities

Workers: Required to wear.

Inmates/visitors: Not required to wear.

Hospitality, retail (supermarkets, hair salons, beauty salons etc) and courts

Workers: Required to wear in publicly accessible areas of the premises. Recommended for workers serving or facing members of the public, such as when working at a reception desk.

Customers: Not required to wear.

Hospitals

Workers: Required to wear.

Visitors: Required to wear.

Patients: Not required to wear unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional.

Healthcare facilities (GPs, psychologists, dentists etc)

Workers: Required to wear in publicly accessible areas of the premises.

Patients: Required to wear.

Care facilities (residential aged care, homelessness residential services, disability residential services etc)

Workers: Required to wear.

Visitors: Required to wear.

Residents/patients: Not required to wear unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional.

Airports

Workers: Required to wear.

Visitors: Required to wear.

Transport (public transport, taxis, rideshares, planes etc)

Workers: Required to wear.

Patrons: Required to wear.

Events

Workers: Only required to wear at indoor events with more than 30,000 people attending.

Patrons: Not required to wear.

Do I have to wear a mask if I have been tested for Covid?

Yes, if you are awaiting results. However, you are not required to wear a mask if you have been tested as part of surveillance testing.

Do I have to wear a mask if I have Covid or am a close contact?

Yes, if you have Covid or are a close contact and are leaving home in line with quarantine, isolation or testing requirements.

I am a Year 5 student. Do I need to wear a mask when I leave the classroom to go to the toilet, school canteen or outside?

You are only required to wear a mask while indoors at school.

I am a Year 5 student. Do I need to wear a mask at the shops?

No. You are only required to wear a mask while at school.

I am a retail assistant in a shopping centre. Do I need to wear a mask when I go on break?

No. You are only required to wear a mask while working.

I am a waitress at a regional cafe. Our small town has few Covid cases. Do I need to wear a mask while working?

Yes. The mask mandates apply statewide.