National Covid crisis triggers urgent change in health advice

Top hospitality businesses will not force their employees to wear masks indoors despite advice by federal health authorities to do so.

Australia’s chief medical officer has pleaded for people to wear masks in “crowded” ­indoor settings, saying a “combined community effort” is needed to slow the latest Omicron wave.

Professor Paul Kelly also called on businesses to consider allowing staff to work from home and for masks to be used in workplaces where employees remained on site.

Small Business Australia boss Bill Lang blasted Professor Kelly’s intervention as “alarmist”, but other industry leaders said it was sensible, although they were concerned about the impact of the latest wave on the economy.

“It’s a pseudo-mandate but it’s better than a mandate,” Australian Industry Group Victorian head Tim Piper said. “People are making some very considered decisions for their own health.”

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler slapped down suggestions that mask mandates could be reintroduced to combat rising case numbers.

“That is not the advice that was issued by the chief health officers,” he said.

More than 300,000 Covid cases have been reported ­nationwide over the past week, which authorities believe is about half the total number of active cases.

Health Minister Mark Butler says Covid cases are double the official figure. Picture: Gary Ramage

Professor Kelly said more than 5000 people suffering from Covid were currently in hospital — a level not reached since the previous Omicron wave in early February.

“We are at the start of this wave, not the end,” he cautioned, as he pushed for Australians to consider measures to slow the spread, including receiving vaccine booster doses, staying at home when unwell and working from home where possible.

“We know that wearing masks does reduce the spread and protect yourself and others. If you’re away from home and indoors in a crowded place, I really very strongly suggest that you do wear masks,” Professor Kelly said.

“This will not be forever, but for the next few weeks this is the way we can actually influence the spread of the virus, protect vulnerable people in our community and also protect our healthcare systems which are already under strain.”

Professor Kelly, who wore a mask in his press conference alongside Mr Butler, said it was their “leadership role for the community”. In a statement, he added: “This is not about individual responsibility, but concerted and sustained community action.”

He said employers should “consider the feasibility of some employees working from home, wearing masks in the workplace and support employees to take leave when sick”.

Prof Kelly spoke about the recommendations amid rising case numbers. Picture: Gary Ramage

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Paul Guerra said members had been encouraged to adjust their workplace practices to help stop the virus spreading.

“This includes ensuring there are flexible working ­arrangements in place and providing masks for staff who wish to wear them,” he said.

“Business is very mindful of the current challenges and committed to doing everything it can to safeguard staff.”

Mr Piper echoed a similar sentiment and said most businesses were following the ­advice. One business he represented had 360 staff working on site prior to the pandemic. About 130 staff were in the ­office three weeks ago, but within 48 hours of the government encouraging staff to work at home, just 10 turned up.

But Mr Piper warned against complacency, and said while such measures were important during winter, business still relied on onsite activity.

“We’ll need to rebound back to where we were quickly,” he added.

Mr Lang said governments had “ample time” to prepare the health system for winter.

“This nation and battling small businesses, many of whom have still not recovered from the financial devastation of Covid, cannot afford retrograde steps in dealing with a disease that is endemic and should be treated as such,” Mr Lang said.

“Our population has been vaccinated, all precautions that can be taken have been taken to prepare the nation for the further spread of Covid – what we now must do is follow ­nations around the world in treating Covid as we would a bad flu season.”

BUSINESSES WON’T FORCE MASKS ON STAFF

Top hospitality businesses will not force their employees to wear masks indoors despite advice by federal health authorities to do so.

Chris Lucas, who owns restaurants like Chin Chin and Grill Americano, said staff were sick of governments interfering in their lives.

“The time for mandates, and even recommendations, are well and truly past,” he said.

“Our staff are exhausted, having worn masks all summer long. Despite what governments are saying, our staff are choosing to vote with their feet, and won’t be wearing any face masks.”

Mr Lucas was a major critic of the Andrews Government’s long and harsh lockdowns, and doesn’t want to see a return to those days.

“If masks are made compulsory it will crush confidence, and the already slow recovery which is underway will be extinguished,” he said.

“We will in effect be winding back the clock to 2020 and 2021. I’m shocked that we’re even considering all this - the talk should be about rebuilding and moving on, rather than panicking.”

hin Chin staff Taylor Tiauli, Chloe Halbwidl and Liam Foulstone will not be required to wear masks. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“And not winding back the clock to the horrific years of lockdowns and mandates which had a devastating impact on business and the community.”

Night life king Nick Russian, who has venues like Bar Bambi, also said he wouldn’t be requiring his staff to wear masks unless the rule was mandated.

“It seems like we’ve learnt nothing in the last couple of years of lockdowns and restrictions,” he said.

“The people who come to our venues are happy to be out living again.”

“They have been locked up for these past couple of years, and now they enjoy engaging with people and seeing other people’s faces again.”

Originally published as National Covid crisis triggers urgent change in health advice