From Wednesday, 22 July 11:59pm people living in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire will be required to wear a face-covering when leaving home, following an increase in coronavirus cases.
As per current Stage 3 restrictions in these areas, residents are permitted to leave their homes for only four primary reasons:
- Shopping for food or essential supplies or services (including automotive)
- To provide caregiving, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
- Work and study, if it can't be done from home
- For exercise (outdoor exercise only, with one other person or members of a household).
The penalty for not wearing a face-covering will be $200 and there are only a few acceptable reasons for not doing so, including:
- Medical reasons
- A professional reason or it's not practical (eg running)
- Under 12 years of age.
However, those with a practical/professional reason will still be expected to carry a face-covering at all times, to wear when possible.
The Wednesday deadline is in place to give people time to purchase/make a face-covering but the Department of Health and Human Services is advising those who already have one to start wearing it immediately.
Face-coverings for people living in regional Victoria are strongly recommended (but not mandatory at this stage) however, visitors to metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire will be required to wear one.
VACC members are advised that masks will be required to be worn in workplaces. The VACC OHS&E Unit will be sending out a Bulletin shortly, which will include further information.
For more information
Department of Health and Human Services: Face coverings mandatory for Melbourne and Mitchell Shire
Department of Health and Human Services: How to make a cloth mask