I am sure many of you will have seen the announcements regarding the use of face masks to become mandatory in the ACT. Please read below the official information from the ACT government.
With the situation in NSW continuing to escalate, the ACT Government will make the use of face masks mandatory in the ACT when out in the community, from midnight tonight (Monday 28 June 2021).
There are no active cases in the ACT. However, the safety of our community is paramount, so we are bringing in this requirement as a proactive measure to support the strengthened travel restrictions that we have put in place.
This new requirement means, when people are indoors with people they don’t usually live or work with, or on public transport, they must wear a face mask.
For example, masks must be worn in:
- supermarkets, shopping centres and retail,
- hospitality venues including restaurants, cafes and other licenced venues,
- other restricted business activities where there is close contact with the public, including hairdressers, beauty and tanning salons and gyms, and
- high-risk settings, such as health and aged care facilities.
For hospitality venues, mask requirements will align with those currently in effect in regional NSW, meaning employees who have contact with patrons, must wear a mask at all times. Patrons are strongly encouraged to wear a mask while in the venue but can remove the face covering while eating and drinking.
For a full list of the business and community settings where masks must be worn, visit the face mask requirements page.
People may remove their face masks in certain situations such as in emergencies or when eating and drinking. There are other exceptions for mask usage, which can be found on the face mask requirements page.
Although the use of face masks will become mandatory from midnight tonight (Monday 28 June 2021), there will be a 48-hour transition period for businesses and the community to adapt to these new requirements.
In addition to wearing a face mask, the community is also reminded about all the other important actions they can take to be COVID safe.
First and foremost, stay home if unwell and get tested with any COVID-19 symptoms. When out in Canberra, make sure that you are using the Check In CBR app. In crowded spaces, keep your distance.
Further information can be found on the ACT Government website.
Confusingly, the ‘Face Mask Requirements Page’ does not list heath care settings as a mandatory setting and neither does the Public Health Direction.
We have called the ACT Government this afternoon and were verbally told that health care settings were required to wear face masks. Given that the ACT government is proactively trying to keep all members of the community safe with the use of face masks, we encourage the use of face masks to protect yourself and your clients.
We will keep you updated as further information becomes available.