Maskless Gladys Berejiklian sparks rule confusion
Gladys Berejiklian has been embroiled in controversy over ambiguous mask rules after being photographed outside a Sydney cafe with her partner.
Gladys Berejiklian has been embroiled in controversy over ambiguous mask rules taking effect in NSW after being photographed outside a Sydney cafe with her partner Arthur Moses on Sunday.
The Daily Telegraph said Ms Berejiklian was standing approximately 7.9m from the cafe and 9m from the cafe’s coffee machine and not wearing a mask. Ms Berejiklian applied her mask soon after she spotted a photographer. Mr Moses was already wearing a mask when waiting to collect the coffee.
Under a raft of tougher Covid-19 regulations imposed in Sydney, residents are asked to wear a mask “near’’ cafes.
A spokesman for Ms Berejiklian told The Daily Telegraph the Premier had not breached any health orders, as the photographs gave a false impression of where she was standing in relation to the cafe.
The Daily Telegraph said it was “not claiming the Premier broke the order but that its demand that masks are mandated ‘near’ cafes is confusing and unclear.’’
Her spokesman said: “To follow the Premier around in the area where she lives to obtain photos of her with a friend during their private time is one thing which, whilst uncomfortable for the Premier, is regrettably accepted as part of holding public office,” a spokesman said.
“However, it is wrong and unfair to suggest or imply that she has broken a health order based on photos taken at different angles when she clearly has not. Further, the Premier is always mindful of her obligations under the health orders and always seeks to maintain an appropriate social distance outdoors.
“Where that is not possible she always wears a mask.
“We’re all in this together, trying to do our best … to keep each other safe, and should not be creating distractions based on wrong facts.
“It is wrong and unfair to suggest or imply that she has broken a health order based on photos taken at different angles when she clearly has not,’’ the Premier’s spokesman said.
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