Face masks and coverings mandatory for metropolitan Melbourne and Shire of Mitchell
Yesterday, Premier Daniel Andrews announced that from 11:59pm on Wednesday, 22 July 2020, face coverings will be mandatory for everyone aged 12 years and over. Advice states if you can, do not wait for the Wednesday deadline but start wearing yours immediately. You must wear a face mask if you are in public for one of the four reasons you are permitted to leave your house:
- to shop for food and essential goods or services
- to provide care, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
- to exercise or for outdoor recreation
- for work or study, if you can’t do it from home
Non-compliance with this new rule will be met with a fine of $200. Exemptions to wearing a face covering in public include eating and drinking, strenuous exercise including jogging, and people who have a medical reason not to do so.
The recommendation for regional Victoria continues to be to wear face coverings, but this is not enforced. Find below the suburbs in which the rules will be enforced by a fine:
Retail staff will need to wear a face covering that conceals both the nose and mouth from 11:59pm on Wednesday, 22 July at the very latest. This could be as simple as a scarf wrapped around the face, however click the button below for the Victorian Government “How to make a cloth mask” tutorial.
The National Retail Association has also created signage for your store to deter people who do not wear face masks from entry. However, if situations escalate we remind all retailers to contact your local police as enforcement of these rules is not the responsibility of your staff.
If you have any questions, please phone the National Retail Association team at 1800 RETAIL and we will provide further assistance.
