Mask mandate argument distracting, former top doc says

Two states have vowed not to bring back mask mandates after national cabinet agreed to implement a consistent message.

Western Australia and South Australia’s governments will both resist calls to bring back mask mandates.

WA Premier Mark McGowan says he’ll personally continue to mask up, but won’t order others to do so.

A snap meeting of national cabinet on Saturday agreed to implement a consistent message on mask wearing, but stopped short of mandating them.

Face coverings have instead been “highly encouraged” in indoor settings and where people cannot social distance.

Mark McGowan says he’ll continue to mask up. Pic Colin Murty The Australian

The West Australian Premier told his hometown paper he “fully endorsed” the decision but added he would continue to wear a mask when appropriate.

“As it has been for a while now, people should feel comfortable about wearing a mask when they want to and ensure they have one at hand for when in need,” he told the West Australian.

“I’m wearing a mask as appropriate, especially in crowded indoor settings.

“This is not a rule or requirement however people should be reminded that masks provide added protection.”

South Australia’s emergency management council will meet on Tuesday where it will receive a detailed briefing of the current Covid situation but the state government will not expand mask mandates beyond public transport and high-risk locations.

Mask mandates are unlikely to return. Picture: Matt Loxton

Earlier, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the nation needed to move away from public health orders and accept the virus as flu-like illness.

“We need to move away from those mandated public health orders and get to a point where if you’re sick, you just stay at home. If you’re not, you go to work,” he said.

Australians needed to take personal responsibility for their health and make a decision themselves on whether they require a mask, he said.

It comes as advocates for mask mandates have been urged to “move on” by the former deputy chief medical officer.

Dr Nick Coatsworth told Sky News antivirals and booster shots have a greater impact than masks.

The former top doctor has called the argument distracting. Picture Gary Ramage

“Anyone advocating for mandates needs to move on from that because unless significant things change with … the way this virus behaves, we're not going to be bringing in restrictions or mandates,” he said.

He labelled the argument around mask mandates a “distraction” from efforts to ramp up the uptake of boosters and antivirals.

Former health department boss Jane Halton agreed.

“I’m not a big fan actually, in the environment we’re in at the moment, of forcing people,” she told ABC’s RN.

“When it comes to things like masks, I think there are places where, if we don’t see adherence go up, voluntary adherence, there needs to be a conversation.”

Ms Halton, who is now leading the review of Australia’s vaccine contracts, said she was “pretty confident” about the community’s ability to pick up a mask amid surging cases.

“I’m seeing increasingly people in supermarkets for example, or indeed on public transport, people are starting to wear masks again,” she added.