Masks still mandatory outdoors at farmers markets, large picnics and while queuing

We’ve already been told to wear a mask while lining up for a snag at Bunnings but these are the other outdoor settings where face coverings must still be worn.

Farmer’s markets are one outdoor setting where masks are recommended. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Daniel Pockett

VICTORIANS will still need to wear masks when outdoors queuing for take away, waiting to board public transport and chatting at the school gates.

Though the state has earned a reprieve from mandatory masks Daniel Andrews clarified on Sunday that face coverings still needed to be worn outdoors in settings where distancing is not possible.

The Premier invoked the hallowed weekend trip to Bunnings as an example to clarify the outdoor settings where mask wearing would be required under the new rules.

Inside Bunnings and while lining up for a sausage a mask will still be needed. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jenny Evans

“If you go to Bunnings and you are in the store, you wear your mask,” he said.

“If you are in the car park, you don’t have to wear your mask.

“But if you are queuing up for a sausage and you are with other people, then you are simply not keeping your distance, you are part of the crowd, you need to put the mask on.”

Experts said it would be some time before Victorians can say goodbye to masks forever when it comes to outdoor settings like farmers markets, communal areas in caravan parks and watching community sport.

Small picnics like this one are fine, but larger gatherings or where its crowded should be a masked occasion. Pictured: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Deakin University chair of epidemiology Professor Catherine Bennett said masks are also recommended for those waiting to board public transport, during the school pick up and drop off, and queuing for take away.

“I think it’s really just when you can’t keep your distance, such as when you’re picking up your take away coffee from a hole in the wall place,” she said.

“These are the sort of setting where you could say to yourself, ‘It looks pretty empty’ but then if a lot of people move in while you’re waiting to get your bread or whatever, and you can find yourself closed in.”

Outdoor group activities such as worshipping, dog training classes, as well as group gatherings at the beach or park were also settings where masks should be worn.

While waiting for public transport on busy platforms you should wear a mask.

“If you’re sitting down with a really mixed group you should be wearing one but if you’re within your own household you’re fine,” she said.

“But if you’re sitting around picnic table with lots of others, it’s a good idea to have a mask on when you’re not eating.”

She said the change was “sensible” for allowing Victorians to use their discretion about when to don masks outdoors.

“The key thing is you need to carry it you never know what’s going to come around the corner, if you keep yours in the pocket then you can go into a cafe or a more crowded setting when you need to,” she said.

Australian National University Professor Peter Collignon said he thought the Premier’s Bunnings scenario was “not the best example” as the stores tended to be big with more ventilation.

“The highest risk situation is your home and your workplace when you’re with colleagues,” he said.

“The trouble with masks is people tend to think they don’t need to follow the basics like stay at home if you’re sick, keep crowd numbers down and try and keep your distance from others.”

The DHHS said Victorians are required to carry a mask with them at all times and must wear one when unable to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from people outside their households.