Coronavirus: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged to mandate masks

A leading Sydney think tank is calling on the NSW government to make face masks mandatory across the state capital.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: Jeremy Piper

A leading Sydney think tank is calling on the NSW government to make face masks mandatory across the state capital, arguing that doing so will limit the need for a second lockdown and avoid more economic disruption.

With community transmissions increasing in some pockets of NSW, the question of face masks remains a divisive one. Some companies, such as Apple, mandate their use inside stores, and some supermarket chains have followed the same lead in hotspot suburbs.

The Committee for Sydney, a think tank representing private sector companies, universities, not-for-profits and local and state government departments, said mandating the use of face coverings was one of the only ways to ensure a critical mass of people would use them.

“A requirement to wear masks could be an essential tool for reducing community transmission and allowing Sydney to avoid the fate of Melbourne,” chief executive Gabriel Metcalf said.

“No one likes to wear masks, but we are all going to have to make some sacrifices to get through this pandemic. Wearing masks in public indoor spaces is annoying, but it does not ask much of us.”

In the US mask use remains the subject of heated division, but across Europe the issue has been settled. France is one of a number of European nations that have mandated facial coverings in enclosed spaces. Britain and some parts of Spain have taken similar steps, as has Germany.

In NSW, the government has so far resisted following suit, preferring instead to leave the decision with individuals. Both Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant have encouraged the use of masks as a stopgap measure, citing their ability to prevent the spread of the disease in conjunction with hand-washing, physical distancing and other personal hygiene measures.

But unlike some leaders, such as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, neither Ms Berejiklian nor Ms Chant wear masks during press conferences or other public appearances.

“I strongly would encourage people to wear masks where ­social distancing can’t be maintained,” Dr Chant said last week.

“Wearing a face mask does ­afford additional protection, and what it really does is protect other people.”

In Victoria, the mandatory use of face masks has led to some push-back from residents and instances of anti-mask activists filming their confrontations with store employees.

Mr Metcalf said leaving people with the option of donning a mask would not work as an adequate incentive. He called for mask use to be mandated by ­location, including on public transport, on airplanes, in hospitals and potentially inside stores.

“It is not likely we will get above 80 per cent compliance with wearing masks through voluntary exhortation. It is too big of a cultural change,” he said.

The NSW Labor opposition has previously called for mask use to be made mandatory. It has also criticised the government for repealing the Prices Regulation Act of 1948, which would have protected consumers against the price gouging of face masks and other protective equipment.