Two states set to scrap masks in days

Residents in two states are just days away from being free of one of the most hated Covid-19 rules, despite officials remaining tight-lipped about the changes.

Victorians are set to see one of the most hated Covid-19 rules scrapped this week, with the long-awaited change flagged by Premier Daniel Andrews last month.

While announcing the raft of restrictions set to ease last month when the state hit its 90 per cent double dose vaccination goal, Mr Andrews also hinted at another looming change.

”Customers for retail will no longer need to wear masks after 15 December – in line with NSW settings,” the Premier said in a statement on November 18.

Mr Andrews said this change would go ahead unless there was a “significant jump in hospitalisations”.

December 15 is now just days away and, so far, Victoria has managed to avoid a major spike in hospitalisations of Covid patients.

While restrictions around mask wearing in indoor settings are expected to be scrapped this week, the Herald Sun reports sources close to the Premier have refused to confirm the change due to the state’s new pandemic laws.

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Restrictions around masks are set to be eased even further. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Paul Jeffers

The controversial legislation was passed into law at the beginning of the month, with the new pandemic framework due to officially kick in from 11.59pm on December 15.

The new laws carry “specific legal requirements” that mean restriction changes must go through “proper processes” before being confirmed publicly.

Under the current restrictions, masks are required to be worn indoors at all retail and healthcare settings, at primary schools and on all public transport.

The expected changes will be masks will only be required at certain high-risk venues and for people working in high-risk settings such as corrections, meat, poultry and seafood processing.

Masks will still be required on public transport, at airports and on planes,

Small Business Australia executive director Bill Lang told the Herald Sun that mask restrictions have left businesses in an awkward position.

“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,” he said.

Mr Lang said the government’s refusal to release the health advice behind many of the state’s restrictions has left many in the community less than impressed.

“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,” he said.

Victoria’s new pandemic powers

Last week, Mr Andrews made a formal pandemic declaration, which is due to apply from 11.59pm on December 15, when the State of Emergency powers expire.

This will make Victoria the first state in Australia to have pandemic-specific legislation that gives the government the specific legal framework it needs to enforce and manage health emergencies.

It gives Victoria’s Premier and Health Minister power to declare a pandemic three months at a time and enforce restrictions.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews at a press conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

The government was forced to make various changes to the bill, including reducing penalties and cutting release times for pandemic decisions.

Mr Andrews said the laws were necessary to keep Victoria open and safe.

“There are still things that have to be done, rules that need to be in place – none of them will be on for a moment longer than they need to be,” he said.

“We’ve worked very hard, back and forth, line by line.”

The initial pandemic declaration can be renewed within four weeks, if the Premier is “satisfied on reasonable grounds” that the pandemic continues to be a serious risk to public health.

After the first declaration, further pandemic declarations can be extended every three months.

“Once a pandemic declaration has been made, the Minister for Health has the power to make pandemic orders he considers reasonably necessary to protect public health,” a statement from the Victorian government read.

“These powers are similar to the CHO’s power to make public health directions and are in line with powers available in other jurisdictions across Australia.”