Leading epidemiologists are challenging Daniel Andrews’ firm stance on face masks, expressing surprise at the Premier’s failure to relax rules on face coverings as he announced a range of other freedoms for Victorians.
Mr Andrews was quizzed about the rule during Sunday’s COVID-19 briefing, and asked why face masks were needed for people who were alone and outdoors, but the Premier said it was “not a day to be negative”.
“At this stage I am not announcing any changes to masks,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s too much to ask and there are plenty of countries around the world that wish they had worn masks months ago.”
Deakin University chair of epidemiology, Catherine Bennett, said she was a “bit surprised” the rule did not change yesterday.
“I’m surprised that we’ve still got masks for outdoors in areas where you keep your distance from other people,” she told the Herald Sun.
“I would be saying to people in restaurants: keep your masks on unless you’re actually eating or drinking. But to not worry about that and to, on the other hand, say you must wear them even when you’re out walking on your own, to me, is confusing messaging.
“I do actually believe we want to keep masks for some time yet — indoors and on public transport.
“The Premier is holding out on this one but I would be very surprised if he didn’t ease masks in another two weeks.
“Once you’ve opened the borders up to NSW or you’re trying to encourage tourism in Victoria … then I do think telling people you can come to this state but you must wear masks all the time sends the wrong message about risks.”
Australian National University infectious diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon said “masks have a place when there is transmission … but wearing masks outside is not going to make a difference”.
“If you are going fishing, playing golf or at the beach and distancing I don’t really see why you have to wear a mask,” he said.
University of Melbourne epidemiologist Tony Blakely said it was likely authorities were waiting for Melbourne to hit 28 days with no cases.
“At some point we are going to have to reduce the masking,” he said.
When asked about the rule, Victoria’s chief health officer professor Brett Sutton stood by the Premier, saying the covering helped prevent transmission.
It comes as more COVID-19 restrictions ease in Victoria after the state recorded nine straight days without any new infections on Sunday.
From Monday morning restrictions such as Melbourne’s 25km radius rule will be removed, and the “ring of steel” separating the city from regional Victoria will also be scrapped.
Gyms and fitness studios in Melbourne can reopen with a maximum of 20 people per venue, ten people per space.
Restaurants, hotels, cafes and bars will move to an indoor maximum of 40 with 10 people per space, and an outdoor maximum of 70 people with one person every two square metres.
For faith gatherings, there will be an outdoor maximum of 50 people plus one faith leader, indoors there will be a maximum of 20 people, plus one faith leader.
Funerals will move indoors, with a maximum 20 mourners, and outdoors with a maximum of 50.
Indoor pools can host up to 20 people and 50 for outdoor pools.
While indoor skate parks, indoor trampoline centres, libraries, toy libraries and community venues, play centres and galleries, cinemas and museums can all have 20 people per venue or 20 per space, depending on the sector.
On November 22 there will be a second phase of reopening, with private gatherings of 10 visitors to a home allowed and public gatherings of 50.
Large sporting venues can be at 25 per cent capacity, 100 people can attend funerals and weddings, and hospitality indoors can have 100 inside and 200 outside.
https://news.google.com/__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?oc=5
2020-11-08 21:00:00Z
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