Date posted: 21 July 2020
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Business Victoria Coronavirus webpage.
For general advice, see “General advice on face masks and coverings for Victoria”.
From 11.59pm on Wednesday 22 July, people living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will be required to wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four reasons. The fine for not wearing a face covering will be $200.
The Government will work with Victorian industry and unions to provide advice to workplaces in the coming days.
The latest advice on face masks for all Victorians is provided on the Department of Health and Human Services website External link.
What is the current advice on face masks?
You should wear a face mask outside your home, if you cannot maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres between yourself and other people.
Wearing a face mask helps keep you and others safe. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is spread from close contact with an infected person and can be spread when a person coughs or sneezes.
If your employees work in an environment where physical distancing is not possible, you should consider providing them with reusable cloth masks or single use surgical masks.
Keeping 1.5 metres between yourself and others, and washing your hands frequently, are still the best defence against coronavirus (COVID-19). If you feel unwell or have any symptoms of coronavirus, you should stay home and get tested.
The recommendation to wear a mask does not apply to people aged under 18 years, but individual families can make their own decisions regarding their children. Masks are not recommended for people with breathing difficulties and those with physical conditions that make it hard to wear one. Children under two years of age should not wear a mask at any time.
What are my responsibilities as an employer?
Employers have a responsibility to identify whether there is a risk to the health of employees from exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) at their workplace, as well as areas where employees are unable to maintain physical distancing by staying 1.5 metres apart.
WorkSafe can assist with tailored advice on how to create a safe workplace, including for coronavirus (COVID-19). You can contact WorkSafe’s advisory service on 1800 136 089 or through the Worksafe website External link (opens in same window).
From 11.59pm on Wednesday 22 July, people living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will be required to wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four reasons.
The Government will work with Victorian industry and unions to provide advice to workplaces in the coming days.
Which face mask should I use?
The term ‘mask’ includes cloth masks and single-use facemasks (commonly called surgical masks). If your employees work in an environment where physical distancing is not possible, you should consider providing staff with reusable cloth masks or single use surgical masks. Reusable masks must be cleaned and disinfected between uses.
- Cloth masks are any nose and mouth covering made of washable fabric. A cloth mask should be made of three layers of a mix of breathable fabrics to ensure adequate protection. It does not need to be surgical quality to be effective. Cloth masks have been recommended around the world for use by the community to prevent transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Surgical masks are made with a non-woven, melt-blown polypropylene layer and available in various levels of protection. These masks can only be worn once.
- There are other types of masks and respirators (such as P2 or N95). These are not recommended for use in the community, or outside of industries such as healthcare. Make sure your mask does not have holes or a valve. This can result in breathing out the virus if you have coronavirus (COVID-19).
How to use face masks safely and correctly
The Department of Health and Human Services website has instructions on how to correctly wear masks External link (opens in same window)and how to wash a cloth mask External link (opens in same window). Washing and wearing face masks properly helps ensure they provide the maximum protection for yourself and others.
Should I require my customers to wear a face mask?
Face masks are currently recommended for everyone in Victoria who cannot maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres from other people, but they are not compulsory.
From 11.59pm on Wednesday 22 July, people living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire and will now be required to wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four reasons.
Good hygiene practices (such as frequent hand-washing and coughing or sneezing into your elbow), cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and utensils, physical distancing and using barriers, are the most effective methods for maintaining health and reducing the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission.
