Experts say Victoria’s mask requirements for shoppers should be extended

The Acting Premier has hinted at a further easing of restrictions, but epidemiologists say lifting Victoria’s mask mandate would be a reckless move.

Experts have warned against scrapping the mask mandate for retail settings ahead of the busy Christmas period, when coronavirus case numbers may soar, straining the healthcare system.

Last month, Premier Daniel Andrews said the rule requiring Victorian shoppers to wear masks indoors would be scrapped on Thursday if there was no major increase in hospitalisations.

The government has not indicated whether it will extend the mask mandate, but Acting Premier James Merlino has flagged further Covid restrictions could be eased this week, as New South Wales moves to remove QR codes everywhere but in high-risk settings.

This week, NSW will wind back its check-in systems for bars, restaurants and other venues.

When asked whether Victoria could follow suit, Mr Merlino would not comment on specific rules but confirmed Health Minister Martin Foley would review restrictions later in the week.

“I’m not going to foreshadow today what the decisions (are) that the health minister will make under the new pandemic legislation,” he said.

“Later in the week there will be announcements about what the next stage looks like but it is based on the latest health advice.

“But it continues to be the fact that vaccinations mean we can do all the things that we love to do.

“We can look forward to planning and to travel through the Christmas and New Year period and we’re not going to be changing that.”

Experts recommend masks continue to be worn in retail. Picture: Paul Jeffers

Mr Merlino said under the new laws the minister received up-to-date advice, including information and modelling on hospitalisations, that was taken into consideration.

Epidemiologists say lifting the rule is reckless in light of high case numbers and circulation of the highly infectious Omicron strain in the community.

“It does not make any sense to relax mask restrictions,” University of Melbourne clinical epidemiologist Professor Nancy Baxter said.

“We continue to have high caseloads in Victoria and our behaviour right now could be driving cases up … if they continue to relax restrictions based on vaccination numbers, it is going to be a rough ride.”

Professor Baxter said it was vital for governments to continually reassess their coronavirus policy response and act early to prevent the return of harsher restrictions to quash the virus.

Victoria has more than 11,000 active coronavirus cases and 364 people in hospital with the disease.

“Think of masks as not limiting your freedom but enhancing your freedom,” Professor Baxter said.

The Boxing Day sales are expected to attract thousands of shoppers. Picture: Mark Stewart

“If we act early with some of these things, we can prevent lockdowns, the problem is we don’t act early.”

That view is also shared by Deakin University epidemiologist Catherine Bennett, who says it is critical that the mask rule remain in place during the Christmas trading period.

“We have a problem with controlling transmission in the community which is impacting our ICUs — we need to keep a lid on that,” Professor Bennett said.

“What we are talking about is short-lived, a couple of weeks until Boxing Day sales.

“I know people are sick of masks but at the end of the day it’s better wearing a mask now than putting a cap back on things.”

Professor Bennett said while the Omicron variant was concerning, Victoria should be in a better position when booster shots are rolled out across the state next year.

“Those numbers will also diminish, too, as we see the unvaccinated acquiring immunity through infection,” she added.

The University of Melbourne’s Professor Baxter advised Victorians to buy high-quality masks and avoid indoor activities where possible in light of the increasing case numbers.

WHY GOVT CAN’T CONFIRM MASK RULE

Mask requirements for shoppers are set to be lifted on Thursday but new pandemic legislation has prevented the government from confirming the changes.

A statement from the Premier on November 18 flagged the mask edict was set to be scrapped after December 15 – in line with settings in New South Wales.

Chief health officer Brett Sutton previously recommended masks could safely be stripped at that point, unless the health system recorded a “significant jump” in hospitalisations.

The Herald Sun understands the government will lift the restrictions this week but sources close to the Premier refused to foreshadow anything because of new pandemic legislation.

Victoria’s state of emergency will officially end at 11.59pm this Wednesday, and will instead be replaced with the new laws which carry “specific legal requirements” that prevent restriction changes being made public before going through “proper processes”.

The changes will now hand Health Minister Martin Foley the power to enforce restrictions — such as mask wearing — and make pandemic declarations, which were initially done by Professor Sutton.

Annie Breene, Lucy Schaefer and Adrienne Schaefer ditching their masks outdoors on Bourke Street Mall. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Victorians have done an incredible job coming forward to get vaccinated, enabling businesses to be open and everyone to get back to the things they love. We’ll have more to say on future settings soon,” a government spokeswoman said.

Victorians must now wear masks in all retail settings, but not in hospitality venues. They will remain mandatory in high-risk settings and workplaces, and on public transport.

Small Business Australia executive director Bill Lang said the state government had failed to provide traders with clarity and certainty during the pandemic.

“Those who work in retail must be left scratching their heads as to how their customers are forced to wear masks, yet people can congregate in the hundreds falling over each other at the pub or attend large events in their thousands – yet no mask is required,” Mr Lang said.

“The government keeps on telling us that they are only following the health advice, though given their stubborn refusal to release this health advice and instead fight to the Supreme Court to keep it secret, I think many across the community have reached the point that they simply do not believe anything the government says.

“As the weather heats and masks become even more unpleasant to wear, retailers will be very keen to see the government bring their settings around mask wearing in line with other industries.”

Masks will still have to be worn on public transport. Picture: Paul Jeffers

The predicted changes come as the government ends its 14-day hotel quarantine requirement for arrivals from eight southern African countries of concern from 11.59pm on Sunday.

It will mean that fully vaccinated arrivals who had visited South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi and Mozambique only need to isolate at home for 72 hours, and get tested within 24 hours of arriving, and between days five and seven after arriving.

There are just three confirmed cases of the Omicron variant of concern across the state, and seven probable infections under investigation.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt and Health Department secretary Brendan Murphy on Sunday got their Moderna booster shots, following new evidence that by six months, some protection against Omicron wanes.

A national public health campaign encouraging people to get their booster shot if they are due will be rolled out from next week.

Asked whether people should get Pfizer or Moderna for their booster, Dr Murphy said: “There really isn’t any good evidence that one is better than another for a booster”.

“If you had Pfizer or AstraZeneca or Moderna as your primary course, you can have either Pfizer or Moderna as a booster.”