Mask mandatory for Victorian school kids 12 and above, 2 new COVID19 cases

Face masks:

From 11.59 pm Wednesday 14 July, face masks are mandatory indoors (not at home) for anyone aged 12 and above if you live in Victoria unless an exception applies.

This includes all workplaces and secondary schools.

• Face masks must be carried at all times and must be worn indoors, by anyone aged 12 years and over. 
• Face masks must be worn outdoors where physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres cannot be maintained from others (except household members or intimate partners), for example, at a busy open-air market or a bus stop.
• You do not need to wear a mask in your own home, or if a lawful exception applies. 
• There are no restrictions on the reasons to leave home or the distance you can travel, but staying COVIDSafe remains important.   
• Find out more about restrictions in Victoria.  

Keep yourself and others safe:

• If you are unwell, get tested and stay at home.
• Stay safe by washing your hands regularly, wearing a face mask outside the home, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and keeping at least 1.5 metres from others.
• Visit: How to stay safe and well. 

Testing for COVID-19

• Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of sense of smell or taste. If you have symptoms, get tested as soon as possible.
• Stay at home until you receive your test result. 

Anyone who tests positive to COVID-19 and their close contacts must isolate for 14 days. Stay home. Don’t go to work, school or shopping.

COVID-19 vaccination

• Vaccination centres are open to people who are eligible. 
• To book an appointment, visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/book-your-vaccine-appointment

Stay informed:

• Call the Coronavirus Hotline if you suspect you have COVID-19 on 1800 675 398. 
• VicEmergency website and app.  
• Department of Health Facebook and Twitter.
• VicEmergency Facebookand Twitter. 

Accessibility: The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.

• To access this information in other languages call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (free call) and ask them to call the coronavirus (COVID-19)  hotline.
• Translated coronavirus (COVID-19) resources are available here.
• If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the coronavirus hotline. 

When do I need to wear a face mask?

You must wear a face mask indoors including at supermarkets, shops, cafes, on public transport, in taxis and rideshare vehicles, on planes and at the airport (unless an exception applies).

You must carry a face mask at all times.

You also must wear a face mask outdoors when you cannot maintain a 1.5-metre distance from all others (except your household members or intimate partner).

Do I need to wear a face mask if I am a permitted visitor at a private home? 

Face masks are strongly recommended if you are visiting someone in their home or having visitors to your home.

If someone is attending the home for work purposes, they must wear a face mask.

Do students at schools need to wear a face mask?

Students aged 12 and over who are learning on-site at a secondary school must wear face masks indoors unless a lawful exception applies.  

Children who are attending on-site primary school or outside school hours care, including children who are aged 12 or over, do not need to wear a face mask.  

Primary and secondary students are not required to wear a face mask if they have an illness, condition or disability that means it would not be suitable to wear one.

For more information, see Face masks – study and school.

Do I have to wear a face mask when dining out?

You must carry a face mask at all times and wear a face mask indoors. You must also wear a face mask outdoors where you cannot maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres from all others (unless they are your household members or intimate partner).

You can remove your face mask when eating and drinking.

I work in an office. Do I have to wear a face mask at the office?

Yes. However, if you are working alone, you do not need to wear a face mask unless someone else enters the room.

Do I have to wear a mask when attending business meetings and events within office towers?

Yes. All people within offices are required to wear masks during normal operations, this includes members of the public attending business meetings and events. Both the members and the public and any workers sharing a workspace with them must wear a mask. ‘Member of the public’ means anyone who isn’t a worker at the workplace.

This Advice message is issued for Victoria, replacing the Advice message from Sunday 11 July.  

From 11:59 pm Sunday 11 July, the Acting Chief Health Officer declared all of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory as red zones under Victoria’s travel permit system. 

This means the Victorian border is now effectively closed to New South Wales and the ACT – except for Victorian residents returning on a red zone permit for 14 days of quarantine, and for people with exemptions or other valid permits (such as specified workers and cross-border residents). 

Visit: NSW/Victoria Border Closure
Find out about the latest COVIDSafe Settings here.