Voices of Victoria: Your thoughts on a mask mandate following Covid-19 case surge

With a winter wave of Covid-19 starting to impact the state, we asked Victorians if they were happy to mask up in public again. And the results might surprise you.

Victorians have had their say about a potential return of a face mask mandate, following a rise in Covid-19 cases. File picture.

With new fears of a fresh Covid-19 case outbreak, it appears everyday Victorians are comfortable to mask up in public settings again.

In what would be music to health experts’ ears, support to reintroduce a mask mandate throughout the state was strong from participants in this week’s Voices Of Victoria poll.

Leader reporters spoke to locals and shoppers from Wonthaggi to Wallan, and as far as Albury, to get their thoughts on how they think the virus is impacting their community, and if masks should become part of everyday life again.

See if there’s anyone you know featured, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

Bill Hackett, Laburnum

“I would (support mandatory mask mandates). I think we should all be wearing them. I think it would stop a lot of the spread.

“I think it should be mandatory inside shops and factories.

“A friend of mine told me a year ago, don’t worry (Covid is) gone. But it hasn’t.

“I’ve had four Covid jabs and the flu shot.

“When I go in shops, (I’m happy to wear a mask).

“I’m going on holidays next week (interstate) and I’m happy to wear one on the plane.”

Greg Joolley, Bass Coast

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In the Wonthaggi Plaza, many were choosing to wear masks while they did their shopping, and Greg Joolley was one of them.

He said he believes reintroducing a mask mandate would be a good idea.

“It is a simple thing we can all do to keep each other safe.

“I wear one to avoid catching all types of sickness, not just Covid, there is the flu, there are colds, there is everything. I am 70-years-old, I can’t afford to be catching anything,” he said.

“I don’t know why it isn’t still a thing.”

Kylie D, Wallan

“Yes, in high risk, crowded areas like supermarkets, schools - I work in a school,” Kylie said.

“For the safety of children and the elderly, there definitely needs to be something put in place - especially with the reach of the (case) numbers at the moment.

“The reluctance to bring back (mask mandates) make no sense to me, especially since we went through all those lockdowns, everything else we’ve gone through - I don’t think that’s right that the government’s ignoring health advice, at all.

“We’ve only been back at school four days and I’m already putting through a heap of Covid cases, so it seems to be spreading quite quickly already.”

Andreas Silva, Footscray

Footscray resident Andreas Silva said he would support mask mandates being used in Victoria but doesn’t believe the State Government would reimpose them.

“Honestly it wasn’t too hard to wear a mask when we had to,” he said.

“But I started getting funny looks when the mandate ended so I stopped using them.”

He said most of his friends didn’t mind wearing masks over the past few years but were glad they were lifted.

“I still carry one because you’re supposed to wear them on the train. Most people don’t though.”

Kerry Bowie, Albury

“I certainly do. I think they’re a good idea to prevent people getting sick.

“I have one in my pocket and when I go into a shop I’ll put it on.

“I come from Sydney so I wear a mask there and when catching public transport.”

Natalie Malins, South Yarra

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Natalie Malins from South Yarra thinks people understand the risk of the virus spreading and should take extra steps to keep themselves protected.

“In terms of moving forward and navigating what life looks like living with this virus, I think there's no need for mandatory mask mandates,” she said.

“By now, people should be aware of the extra steps they can take to protect themselves so I think it should remain a choice in whether they want to wear a mask or not.”

Harold Paulraj, Cranbourne West

Harold Paulraj from Cranbourne West thinks bringing back a mask mandate is a good idea, image: Gemma Scerri

Harold Paulraj believes bringing back a mask mandate is a good idea.

“I think they should be brought in, but within reason,” Mr Paulraj said.

“In high risk environments they are definitely a good idea, like on public transport, or in supermarkets.”

Mr Paulraj said that having masks is a good way to reduce disease transmission for other illnesses as well, not just for Covid.

“I think it would be a good idea to have masks to stop other things from spreading too,” he said.

“I don’t want to flu or any other random cold, masks can help to stop the chance of us catching these things.”

Paul Inggall, Park Orchards

“No, I think we’re past it (the pandemic), I’m doing fine without a mask and I don’t even think about Covid now.

“I don’t want to get it, that’s for sure, but it should be everyone’s choice whether they wear it or not.

“I’ll wear a mask if I’m asked to, but I don’t think it should be mandatory.”