Coronavirus: NSW warns fines for not wearing masks could be introduced

Sydney residents could be slapped with fines for not donning face masks after a concerning drop in use across the public transport network.

NSW public transport users could soon be slapped with fines after a dramatic drop in mask use sparked concern from health officials.

With a wave of employees expected to return to the office next month, public transport use is expected to increase significantly, prompting the Government to plead with passengers to wear a mask to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

A government source told the Sydney Morning Herald that mask use had dropped to 15 per cent in some parts of Sydney, compared to the 30 to 40 per cent it was halfway through the year.

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NSW residents have been warned fines could be introduced if people continue to ignore the advice around wearing masks. Picture: Damian Shaw/NCA NewsWire

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Health Minister Brad Hazzard warned if commuters didn’t start taking health advice around masks seriously then penalties could be introduced.

“There is just no way you should be on public transport without a mask. Wear a mask. It keeps you safe, but it keeps everybody else safe. It’s critical,” he said.

“I stress that because at no stage have we wanted to impose fines on people but it will become necessary if people don’t lift their game in wearing masks on public transport.

“We’re asking you at the moment, but in the strongest possible terms.”

NSW has so far avoided following in Victoria’s footsteps and introducing mandatory face masks.

The Garden State did ease its mask rules slightly on November 22, with Victorians now no longer required to wear a mask while outdoors if they can remain 1.5m from others.

However, they are still required to wear masks if they can’t maintain social distancing outdoors and must still wear one indoors in public or on public transport.

The penalty for not wearing a mask is $200.

The warning comes after it was announced that the public health order requiring employers to allow employees to work from home where possible will be scrapped on December 14.

Employers have been encouraged to stagger staff start and finishing times in order to reduce the impact on public transport, but there is still expected to be a major spike in commuters next month.

In order to assist with more passengers, the capacity for trains will be increased from 44 to 55 per cent next, buses will increase from 38 to 45 per cent and the capacity on ferries will jump from 36 to 51 per cent.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance has reignited calls for people to wear masks in situations where they can’t socially distance, particularly on public transport.

“It’s just vital as we see more people, particularly in the peak periods, start to return to workplaces and office spaces,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“We want people wearing masks – there’s not enough people doing it – and I’m pleading with the community to do it.”

This isn’t the first time the Government has hinted that masks could become mandatory if people don’t follow the rules.

In August, Premier Gladys Berejiklian refused to rule out a Victoria-style mandatory mask rule in NSW, warning the state could be open to harsher rules if residents failed to exercise “caution”.

“If we limit our activity, if we’re extra cautious over the next few weeks, we won’t go down the path that unfortunately Victoria has,” she told Nine.