The Victorian Government is recommending face masks are worn within metro Melbourne and Mitchell Shire to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

At this stage, masks are a recommendation rather than a requirement. However, the ARA encourages you to consider the Chief Health Officer’s published guidance on this new recommendation available at this link, and to take the appropriate precautions for your staff and customers. Further materials and guidance for employer settings will be provided later this week. 

Studies have recently shown that wearing face masks can reduce transmission of coronavirus by around 60 per cent. The Victorian Government will order over two million reusable masks and one million more single-use masks to ensure more Victorians have access to this added protection while also boosting local manufacturing capability.

Face masks provide an added layer of protection, however the best ways to reduce the transmission of coronavirus remain the same – good hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette and keeping a physical distance of 1.5 metres.

The full statement from the Premier can be found here