One of Australia’s last remaining coronavirus rules could finally be scrapped: ‘We’ve got to learn to live with Covid-19’

Mask mandates are expected to be dropped in NSW hospitals next week as the government considers ending one of the last Covid rules still in place in the state.

Those visiting “high-risk settings,” such as hospitals and aged care facilities across the state, are required to wear face masks to stop the spread of disease.

But the Minns government wants to end that latest restriction with the release of a health report next week.

Health bureaucrats are reviewing face mask settings for that report, it said The Daily Telegraph.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park is hopeful that mask restrictions will be relaxed in most hospital settings.

“I want the masks rolled back in our hospitals,” he told the publication.

“We have to learn to live with Covid-19 and get back to normal.”

While face mask mandates may be scrapped in most settings, some “higher risk areas” within hospitals and health facilities may still require people to wear face masks.

Mr Park acknowledged that there would be ‘some circumstances where masks will be required’.

Infectious disease expert Professor Peter Collignon explained that a mask mandate made little difference when it came to transmission.

“If you wear it all the time, the added benefit is marginal and there are many drawbacks,” he said.

The last time the NSW government lifted mask restrictions was for public transport last year.

Those visiting “high-risk settings,” such as hospitals and aged care facilities across the state, are required to wear face masks to stop the spread of disease (stock image)

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park (pictured) is hopeful that mask restrictions will be eased in most hospital settings

Other changes to Covid regulations will see doctors no longer required to report Covid cases to the NSW Minister of Health from this Friday.

The public health orders for those who contract Covid or come into contact with someone who has the virus will also end due to changes to the Public Health Act that take effect from September 1.

The changes in the law will mean that Covid will be treated like any other disease.

It comes as the Minns government also looks at ending vaccine and mask mandates for cruise ships in NSW.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, made up of federal and state chief health officials, is expected to make a decision in the coming days paving the way for NSW to formally scrap the rules.

“Frankly, many of those rules were seemingly arcane and didn’t apply to any other part of life or business in Sydney,” Mr Minns said on Wednesday.

“Since these restrictions don’t apply to airports and other parts of the transportation economy, they shouldn’t apply to cruise ships either.”