Everything you need to know about wearing a face mask
Should I wear a mask while driving, working from home or when I visit the dentist? We answer all questions about wearing face masks in Melbourne and parts of Victoria — regardless of how odd they may seem.
Lifestyle
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Wearing face masks in public will become mandatory for residents living in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire from Wednesday 11.59pm.
Here’s everything you need to know about wearing a mask, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
WHAT DOES WEARING A FACE COVERING MEAN?
You must wear a face covering whenever you leave your home, unless an exception applies.
A face covering needs to cover both your nose and mouth.
It can be a face mask, face shield, scarf or bandana made from either paper or textile covering.
It doesn’t have to be medical grade and you can make your own.
WHY DO I HAVE TO WEAR ONE?
Unless an exception applies, you must wear a face covering when you leave your home for one of the four reasons:
1) shopping for food and supplies.
2) recreation or exercise.
3) medical care and caregiving
4) for study or work — if you can’t do it from home.
This includes travelling on public transport and in a car with people outside your household.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I LIVE OUTSIDE BUT WORK IN MELBOURNE OR MITCHELL SHIRE?
You need to wear a face covering if entering into these areas for necessary goods and services, medical care and caregiving, or study or work.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I LIVE IN BUT WORK OUTSIDE OF MELBOURNE OR MITCHELL SHIRE?
You need to wear a face covering if leaving this area for necessary goods and services, medical care and caregiving, or study or work.
PEOPLE EXEMPT FROM WEARING FACE MASKS
— Infants and children under the age of 12 years.
— A person who is affected by a relevant medical condition— (including breathing problems, a serious face skin condition, a disability or a mental health condition.)
— If you’re someone who communicates with the hearing-impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
— Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to that person’s health and safety related to their work, as determined through OH&S guidelines.
— Persons whose professions require clear enunciation or visibility of their mouth. This includes teaching or live broadcasting.
— Professional sportspeople when training or competing.
WHEN YOU LAWFULLY DON’T NEED TO WEAR FACE MASKS
— For exercise or physical activity where they are out of breath or puffing such as jogging or running. You MUST have your face mask on you to wear when finished exercising.
— When directed by police to remove the face covering to ascertain identity.
— Travelling in a car by yourself or with other members of their household.
— When eating, drinking, taking medicine or smoking/vaping.
— When undergoing dental treatment or other medical care to the extent that the procedure requires that no face covering may be worn.
— When entering or inside a financial institution, like a bank.
— During emergencies.
DO I HAVE TO WEAR A MASK IF I HAVE ASTHMA?
No. People who have a medical condition, including problems with their breathing, do not have to wear face coverings.
WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY?
Yes, people with a disability must wear a face covering unless it is impractical or unsafe to do so for medical, communication or other individual risk factors.
SCHOOLS
WILL FACE COVERINGS BE MANDATORY FOR TEACHERS/ EARLY LEARNING/ DAY CARE/ KINDER?
It is not compulsory in the classroom but optional. A face coverings can interfere with a teacher’s ability to clearly communicate with students or children in their care.
WHAT ABOUT OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM?
Teachers, educators and carers must wear face coverings in other areas of the school/ facility when not teaching or providing care.
DO STUDENTS AT SCHOOLS NEED TO WEAR A FACE MASK?
Students under the age of 12 do not have to wear face coverings.
Students ages 12 and over will need to wear face coverings.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS AGED 12 AND STILL AT PRIMARY SCHOOL?
No, children who are aged 12 and over and are attending primary school do not need to wear a face covering at school. The Victorian Chief Health Officer has advised that it is not practical to require some primary school students to wear face coverings while others are not required to.
WHAT IF MY CHILD LIVES IN MELBOURNE BUT STUDIES REGIONALLY?
No, children aged 12 and older who live in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire do not need to wear a face covering if they attend school in regional Victoria.
WHAT IF MY CHILD ATTENDS A SPECIALIST SCHOOL?
Students are not required to wear a face covering but may do so if they or their family choose to. Students are not required to wear a face covering where their disability means it would not be suitable.
WORK
CAN I REMOVE MY FACE MASK IF IT’S UNCOMFORTABLE WHILE WORKING?
You can take short breaks from wearing a mask at work, but you must consider this advice:
— Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60 per cent alcohol.
— Don’t touch the front of the mask or your face.
— Carefully remove your mask by grasping the ear loops or untying the ties. For masks with a pair of ties, unfasten the bottom one first, then the top one.
— If your mask has filters, remove them and throw them away. Fold the mask and put it directly into the laundry or into a disposable or washable bag for laundering. Single use surgical masks should be disposed of responsibly.
— Clean your hands again.
— Only a short break should be required.
DO I NEED TO WEAR A FACE MASK AT MY DESK EVEN IF I AM 1.5 METRES AWAY FROM OTHERS?
Yes, you must wear a face covering. If you work in an enclosed office on your own, you don’t have to wear a mask while at your desk. If someone enters your space and when you leave it, you need to wear a mask.
I WORK FROM HOME — DO I NEED TO WEAR A FACE MASK HERE?
No, unless you are caring for someone at home who has coronavirus (COVID-19).
AS AN EMPLOYER, DO I NEED TO REQUIRE MY STAFF TO WEAR FACE MASKS?
Yes, you are required to ensure your employees wear face coverings if they are working, unless an exception applies.
DO RESIDENTS OF AGED CARE FACILITIES AND OTHER GROUP HOMES NEED TO WEAR FACE MASKS AT ALL TIMES?
No, it does not apply to aged care residents or other group homes residents while they are in the facility.
But it does apply to the facility’s staff and visitors and when a resident leaves the facility.
I WORK IN A CALL CENTRE, DO I NEED TO WEAR A FACE MASK WHEN I AM SPEAKING WITH PEOPLE ON THE TELEPHONE?
Yes. Due to the number of people who work closely together in call centres, these workplaces represent a risk for transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).
DO CONSTRUCTION WORKERS HAVE TO WEAR A FACE MASK?
Yes. Construction workers will have to wear a face covering unless they meet any of the criteria for exception such as a medical condition or if wearing a face mask is an OH&S risk.
WHAT ABOUT THE BARISTA AT MY COFFEE SHOP?
Yes.
WHAT ABOUT THE SUPERMARKET EMPLOYEE ON THE CHECKOUT?
Yes.
EXERCISE
WEARING A FACE COVERING WHILE EXERCISING IS HARD, DO I HAVE TO DO IT?
If you are doing strenuous exercise, such as jogging, running or cycling, you do not need to wear a face covering.
You do have to carry a face covering with you so you can wear it before or after exercising.
WHAT ABOUT GOING FOR A WALK?
You must wear a face covering when walking for exercise even if the 1.5 metre physical distancing is maintained unless you have a lawful excuse such as a medical condition.
WEARING A MASK
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I WASH REUSABLE MASKS?
After each time you use it and before you put it back on.
It is a good idea to have at least two, so you always have a clean one available.
Keep a paper bag or zip lock bag with you to carry fresh face coverings to keep them clean.
CAN I MAKE MY OWN FACE MASK?
Yes, you can make your own mask.
WHAT MASK IS BETTER — DISPOSABLE OR REUSABLE?
Associate Professor Philip Russo, the Director of Cabrini Monash University Department of Nursing research, said surgical masks “work well” if they are fitted correctly.
He said the surgical masks were effective up until they became damp, at which point they should be disposed of or changed over.
Reusable cloth masks were effective too, he said.
Associate Prof Russo said facial coverings were not a complete solution to preventing coronavirus transmissions.
He said it remained important to physically distance and maintain proper hand hygiene.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE N95 MASKS?
Associate Prof Russo said N95 masks should be reserved for healthcare workers.
He said this variety of mask helped prevent against airborne infections, whereas the coronavirus spread via larger droplets.
Read more on masks here.
DOES IT HAVE TO HAVE THREE LAYERS?
While the Chief Health Officer recommends a mask made of three layers of a mix of breathable fabrics to ensure adequate protection, any face mask or covering is better than none.
CAN I WEAR A DISPOSABLE MASK?
Yes. You should, however, dispose of it responsibly in the rubbish bin after one use.
CAN I JUST USE A SCARF?
Any face mask or covering is better than none. This includes a scarf or bandana.
HOW DO I STOP MY FACE MASK FOGGING UP MY GLASSES?
Make sure the face covering is fitted and pinched on your nose if possible. Put your glasses on after the face covering. Wash your glasses with detergent and water to create a film to prevent fogging. You can also use micropore tape (available at all pharmacies) to tape the face covering along the bridge of your nose and cheeks, then put your glasses on top. Or put a folded tissue across the bridge of your nose, then put your face covering on and your glasses on top.
DO I NEED TO WEAR A FACE MASK WHILE DRIVING?
No, if you are driving alone or only travelling with people from your household.
You should put your face covering on before you leave your vehicle or if you wind down the window to talk to someone.
If you are driving with people for work or people you don’t live with then you must wear a face covering.
WHAT IF I AM A PASSENGER IN AN UBER OR TAXI?
Yes.
CAN I STILL VISIT MY PARTNER?
Partners living separately can visit each other at home. You can travel to or from metropolitan Melbourne or the Shire of Mitchell to visit your partner.
DO I NEED TO WEAR A FACE COVERING?
You do not need to wear a face covering while at home together.
REGIONAL VICTORIA
WHAT HAPPENS IF I LIVE IN MELBOURNE AND MY PARTNER LIVES IN REGIONAL VIC?
If you live in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell shire and visit your partner in another part of Victoria, you must also abide by the stay at home restrictions. For example, if you live in Altona and you visit your partner at their home in Ballarat, you are not permitted to go out for dinner or a drink in Ballarat. You must also wear a face covering whenever you leave your partner’s home.
WHAT IF I LIVE IN REGIONAL VIC AND MY PARTNER LIVES IN MELBOURNE?
If you are visiting your partner in metropolitan Melbourne or the Shire of Mitchell, you must abide by the Stay at Home restrictions.
CAN I REMOVE MY FACE MASK IF SOMEONE I AM TALKING TO CAN’T HEAR ME?
You can remove your face covering if you are communicating with a person who is hearing-impaired.
You should maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres and if you need to cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue or your elbow.
I AM WELL AND LIVE IN REGIONAL VICTORIA — DO I NEED TO WEAR A MASK?
It is recommended, but not mandatory. You should wear a covering if you leave home and are not able to social distance, like when shopping.
CAN I STILL VISIT MELBOURNE OR MITCHELL SHIRE IF I LIVE IN REGIONAL VIC?
You should not travel into metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire unless it is for one of the three reasons permitted to travel into this area. If you do have to go to metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire for one of the three reasons — shopping for food and supplies, medical care and caregiving, and education or work, if you can’t do it from home — you must wear a face covering unless an exception applies.
ENFORCEMENT
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T WEAR A FACE COVERING?
Fines of $200 may be issued to people who do not wear a face covering unless they have a valid reason for an exception.
WILL I BE FINED FOR NOT CARRYING A FACE COVERING WITH ME?
You can be fined if you don’t wear or carry a face covering.
WHERE TO BUY A FACE MASK ONLINE
Some styles are still available. Available stock subject to delays.
Some sizes and colours are sold out, and there’s a 30 day shipping delay.
Some styles still available.
Some styles still available.
Some styles still available.
Still some styles available.
New stock is added online each morning, but sells out quickly.
Masks have temporarily sold out and will be restocked later in the week.
Most masks sold out and available for pre-order.
Limited styles available.
Still available.
Many styles still available.
Styles still available.
New designs being added daily.
Limited styles available.
All AFL styles sold out.
New styles added daily, but sell out quickly.
Restocked Tue 21 July.
In-stock.
In-stock.
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