New mask mandate introduced for millions of Australians

Mask mandates have been reintroduced in hospitals across New South Wales as the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise.

“Making these changes now will allow our employees and the community to look forward to the holiday season with greater confidence,” said NSW Health Deputy Secretary Deb Willcox.

“Family and loved ones can still spend time with patients, but we are asking people to limit the number of visitors who come to see patients at the same time.

“Visitors, as well as staff, will now also be required to wear a mask in all areas of a hospital or health service, not just in patient areas, as was previously required.”

The new rule comes after New South Wales Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant warned the state is entering the fourth wave of Covid.

NSW recorded 22,672 new infections this week, an increase of 52 percent.

“The wave takes up a certain trajectory, it’s going to be quite a steep wave and hopefully the drop is just as steep.

“That’s why it’s important for the community to take these protective measures now and I can’t stress the urgency – if you’re going to get vaccinated, do it immediately.”

Dr. Chant says modeling suggests the new wave of cases would taper off by Christmas.

“There’s a sense that the surge could be peaking before Christmas and we may be sinking,” she said.

“But the message is clear… this is a period of increased risk for COVID, so please, now is the time to adopt that protective behavior.”

Prime Minister Dominic Perrotet says individuals must take personal responsibility if they test positive for the virus.

“If you are sick you stay at home, if you are not sick you go to work and enjoy everything,” he said.

“We have to live next to the virus, it is not going away. I’ve been saying that for months.

“We had always expected that there would be an increase in the number of cases in the summer, that was the expectation of the National Cabinet a few months ago.”

Australia’s top doctors are calling for calm amid the latest wave of Covid and urging them to resume normal life.

Deakin University epidemiology chair Catherine Bennett told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Go on and do your normal things.’

‘Panic never helps, in my opinion. Being aware of changing risks and responding to and managing them is the best thing you can do.’

Professor Bennett acknowledged that residents should be mindful of the latest surge.

“We’re seeing numbers, especially hospitalizations, rising across the country,” she said.

“We know from data from abroad that adding Covid variants to the mix increases transmission rates. What it means for individuals is that their risk of exposure goes up.’

Professor Bennett said it was important residents listened to the advice of health professionals, got their booster, but didn’t make drastic changes to their lives.

“This is exactly when we want people to be aware of the changed risk of contracting the virus, and to use that information to manage their own risk,” she said.

“Maybe consider sitting outside a cafe instead of inside, or wear a face mask if you’re traveling on public transport.”