Victoria’s surprise mask mandate call

Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas unveiled a range of new pandemic orders on Tuesday, with another wave of Covid sweeping through and the state’s hospital numbers continuing to climb.

But she only “strongly recommended” that masks be worn indoors and in crowded settings despite revealing acting chief health officer Ben Cowie had advised mandates should be reintroduced in some settings.

“The chief health officer has provided his advice and I have accepted his advice, except that I have chosen not to extend mandates for mask wearing in some of the settings that were recommended to me,” Ms Thomas said on Tuesday.

“The advice from the chief health officer was to mandate mask wearing in early childhood and school settings, and indeed in retail and in some hospitality settings for workers in those areas.

“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.

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

Masks are still mandatory on public transport, in rideshare vehicles and in high-risk settings.

Victoria’s Covid hospitalisation numbers have grown by more than 50 per cent over the last two weeks, with 737 people in the state’s hospitals as of Tuesday with the virus.

To help counter this issue, the government announced a “significant new investment” for a public campaign.

The Stay Well in Winter campaign will run on television, radio, and outdoor and digital channels to educate the community about the benefits of getting vaccinated, wearing a mask and maximising ventilation indoors.

Another round of the Small Business Ventilation Grant Program was also announced to help businesses invest in equipment that will keep their workers and customers safe in indoor settings.

These announcements were accompanied by changes to the state’s immunity and isolation rules.

The period when someone is considered a recently confirmed case, meaning they are exempt from testing and isolation and quarantine requirements, was reduced from 12 weeks to four weeks.

This change was in line with Australian Health Protection Principal Committee advice, with evidence suggesting that new Covid variants can evade immunity from prior infection.

Positive cases in seven-day isolation were given an additional reason to leave their home – to provide transport for a household member to obtain food if essential.

The infected person will need to remain in the car and wear a face covering at all times.

Ms Thomas also requested that employers consider working-from-home arrangements for their employees where “most appropriate”.

She encouraged Victorians to follow health advice during that state’s third Covid winter.

“This is our third Covid winter. We all wish that it would go away, but that is not happening. Victorians know what to do,” Ms Thomas said.

“As we’re seeing across the globe and around Australia, winter means more time inside where Covid and the flu can spread. It also means our nurses, ambos and doctors have never worked harder, and we can’t thank them enough.

“We are working with business and community leaders to ensure advice and information is provided to the wider community – to help all Victorians stay well this winter.

“Wearing a mask, getting up to date with your vaccinations and ensuring indoor areas are well ventilated are small but effective steps Victorians and businesses can take to manage their own Covid risk this winter.”

Originally published as Victorian government rejects mask mandate recommendation