Thomas rejected CHO mandate, settled for ‘strongly recommending’ masks

The Victorian health minister has rejected a recommendation by the acting chief health officer to bring back mask mandates in early childhood and school settings, as well as retail settings, in favour of letting the public “take control of their own health”.

Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said at a press conference at Footscray Hospital that mask-wearing indoors and in crowded places is “strongly recommended”, but no changes are being made to current face mask rules.

She said on Tuesday that acting Chief Health Officer Professor Ben Cowie had recommended the return of mask mandates for early childhood and school settings, as well as in retail and some hospitality settings for workers, but she had rejected the request.

The state government is instead strongly recommending people wear masks indoors and in crowded settings amid an Omicron wave that has doubled the number of COVID-19 hospitalisations in the state in just two weeks.

The government also announced that Victorians would be required to follow test-and-isolate requirements if they have flu-like symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 just four weeks after a previous infection, rather than 12 weeks on.

The change, which will come into force at 11.59pm on Tuesday, is in line with a recommendation of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee late last week.

Thomas noted the state’s current pandemic legislation requires her to consult business and community leaders – as well as her state government colleagues – and the decision not to return to mandating masks emerged because the public wants to “take control of their own health”.

“I made a decision based on the advice that I had received that further mandating masks was not the most effective way to get the message out about the importance of mask wearing,” she said.

“We need to empower Victorians to make their own decisions.”

The government is also requesting employers consider working from home arrangements that are “most appropriate for their workplace and employees based on individual requirements”, Thomas said.

In Victoria, masks are still required on public transport and in rideshare vehicles, in high-risk settings such as hospitals and aged care facilities, and on domestic and international flights.

Those who are COVID-19 positive will also be able to leave their homes from 11.59pm tonight if they are driving a member of their household to obtain essential food. The infected person will have to remain in the vehicle and wear a face mask at all times.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler earlier on Tuesday said mask-wearing in crowded indoor spaces is “something we should see return” amid the winter Omicron wave. But he said he did not believe state governments should reinstate broad mandate masks again.

“I think we as a community - and I include myself in this - have slacked off a bit about mask-wearing in indoor spaces, even though we know that it is effective,” he told 3AW Mornings with Neil Mitchell.

There has been a 53 per cent increase in the number of Victorians in hospital with COVID-19 over the last two weeks. On Tuesday, there were 737 people in hospital with the virus.

Butler said federal health department modelling indicated that virus case numbers and hospitalisations across Australia had “further to go over probably the next four to six weeks”.

A new state campaign titled Stay Well in Winter will emphasise the importance of third and fourth vaccine doses, why people should wear a mask indoors and the benefits of good ventilation.

Victoria recorded 10,627 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday morning. There are now more than 57,000 active cases across the state.

Acting Premier Jacinta Allan said health services around the country were currently struggling with a “challenging winter period”.

Franchise Council of Australia chief executive Mary Aldred said small business owners were critical in getting out COVID-safe messages out over winter.

“They are our first, best shot at goal when we can’t afford to miss - reminding customers to mask up and get boosted to keep our community safe and our economy open,” she said.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas.Credit: The Age

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.