“Currently, passengers are required to wear a tight-fitting face mask that covers their nose and mouth while traveling on all means of public transportation, unless a passenger has a valid exemption.”
The Age has confirmed that officers from the protection services, who are part of Victoria Police, are no longer handing out masks to those who may be trapped without a head on the train or tram.
John Bourke began wearing his mask everywhere since the rise in COVID infections and wants more government action. Credit: Wayne Taylor
“Traffic police and protection services officers continue to help enforce the rules on the use of masks on public transportation, focusing on education,” a Victoria police spokeswoman said.
In Victoria, masks are still required on public transportation and shared travel vehicles, in high-risk environments such as hospitals and care centers for the elderly, and on domestic and international flights.
John Bourke, who lives in Carlton, strongly supports the reintroduction of mask warrants in shopping malls, indoors and in busy places.
“Making it mandatory is important for the good of society. I have a lot of friends who are sick of COVID, ”he said.
Yvonne Zhou believes masks should be optionalCredit: Wayne Taylor
But for CBD resident Yvonne Zhou, wearing a mask is something she only does when she’s on public transportation or if she’s sick.
He believes masks should remain optional and says this is a fairly common opinion among his friends.
“I’m wearing a mask [outside] because I didn’t put on makeup today, “Zhou said.” But some of my other friends think the warrants need to be reintroduced. “
On Friday, the Australian Main Health Protection Committee (AHPPC) reiterated its “shared responsibility” to minimize the impact of COVID-19.
The committee, which is the key decision-making body for health emergencies, said Australians should wear a mask when they are in crowded indoor public environments, including public transport.
“This is important to protect yourself and others,” the AHPPC said in a statement.
Although the AHPPC has not made any recommendations for the resumption of mask warrants (the committee recommended the removal of mask warrants at airport terminals last month), several doctors and epidemiologists have encouraged Victorians to wear masks in crowded areas.
Sales man Gray Galey, who visited Melbourne on Sunday, said that while the masks should be optional, there should be more encouragement from the government to wear them.
Sale’s Toni Galey is wary of COVID infections and wears his mask in occupied areas. Credit: Wayne Taylor
Both he and his wife, Toni, wear masks inside, regardless of whether they are in Melbourne or their hometown of Gippsland.
Since her friend died of the virus, Toni has been more concerned about the risk and wears a mask more often.
“I don’t want to take COVID,” he said. “I don’t usually take them outside, but sometimes I forget to take them out.”
Snow Yue (left) and Grace Cheng wear masks when they are out, but don’t think the warrants need to be re-introduced. Credit: Wayne Taylor
This feeling was echoed by Snow Yue and Grace Cheng. They both choose to wear masks in crowded places such as supermarkets and public transportation, but said wearing masks should remain an option because “different people have different ways of doing things.”
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