Masks continue to be compulsory in Victoria, but health experts think the restriction can be eased
Leading health experts have predicted the target they think Victoria needs to hit before the controversial rules on face masks are relaxed.
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Victorians will be forced to continue wearing masks and working from home, despite active cases nearing zero.
Leading epidemiologists criticised Premier Daniel Andrews’ decision not to relax mask rules outdoors, as he announced a range of other freedoms on Sunday.
“At this stage I am not announcing any changes to masks,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s too much to ask and there are plenty of countries around the world that wish they had worn masks.”
Asked why the blanket mandatory mask rule could not be relaxed outdoors, Mr Andrews said “simple rules are always best”.
Deakin University chair of epidemiology, Catherine Bennett, said she was a “bit surprised” the government did not relax the strict order amid confusion over why masks could be taken off at restaurants but not while alone outdoors.
“I’m surprised that we’ve still got masks for outdoors in areas where you keep your distance from other people,” she said.
“I would be saying to people in restaurants: keep your masks on unless you’re actually eating or drinking. But to not worry about that and to, on the other hand, say you must wear them even when you’re out walking on your own, to me, is confusing messaging.
“I do actually believe we want to keep masks for some time yet — indoors and on public transport.
“The Premier is holding out on this one but I would be very surprised if he didn’t ease masks in another two weeks.
“Once you’ve opened the borders up to NSW or you’re trying to encourage tourism in Victoria ... then I do think telling people you can come to this state but you must wear masks all the time sends the wrong message about risks.”
ANU infectious diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon said “masks have a place when there is transmission … but wearing masks outside is not going to make a difference”.
“If you are going fishing, playing golf or at the beach and distancing I don’t really see why you have to wear a mask,” he said.
University of Melbourne epidemiologist Tony Blakely said it was likely authorities were waiting for Melbourne to hit 28 days with no cases.
“At some point we are going to have to reduce the masking,” he said.
Under the current rules, someone in Victoria cannot walk bare-faced alone outside, but they can take off their mask while eating at a busy restaurant.
In NSW, which has 42 active cases, masks are a recommendation only.
Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien echoed Prof Bennett’s concerns that interstate tourists could be put off by Victoria’s mask rules.
“Even with only four cases in a state of 6½ million people you still have to wear a mask, even if you are by yourself walking the dog first thing in the morning” Mr O’Brien said
“We want the rules to reflect what gives us the best public health outcomes.”
He wants masks to be mandatory only in circumstances where social distancing is not possible.
The government also said Victorians would need to continue working from home if they could, giving no indication of when workers would be allowed to return to the city even in capped numbers.
Instead authorities will continue a blitz on businesses with Victoria Police, WorkSafe and the Health Department fining rule breakers.
More than 780 businesses were assessed on Saturday and 121 were found to be “not doing the right thing”.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp will raise the move to open CBD offices in a meeting with the Premier.
“Workers are critical to our local economy and pre COVID they made up almost half of the daily city population,” she said.
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