ACT Mask Mandate Returns
By Ebony Heins
The ACT Government has reintroduced an indoor mask mandate from midnight on the 21st December, in an effort to slow the spread of Omicron in the community.
Masks will be required in the following settings:
Indoor retail settings
Public transport
Hospitality venues (except when seated, eating, or drinking)
Indoor workspaces
Visitors and staff in residential aged care facilities
The mandate will commence at midnight, and will require all staff, students and visitors to wear a face mask when entering any UC building, unless they have a medical exemption. UC has urged staff and students to bring face masks with them when on campus and to follow all appropriate health and hygiene guidelines associated with mask wearing.
The ACT currently has 124 active cases, with 16 new cases recorded today, with an increasing in numbers taking place over the past few weeks. Acting Chief Minister, Yvette Berry, said the mandate came as a response to a rising number of cases in the community. She said, ‘around half’ of the capital’s active cases are confirmed to be the new Omicron variant.
The mandate is expected to stay in place over Christmas and the New Year, however Berry stated this may change as further health advice is updated.