Change in face mask rules in Sydney

The number of infections linked to the COVID-19 cluster in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has increased to nine, prompting the NSW government to mandate face masks in several settings.

On Thursday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said masks would be mandatory on public transport in Greater Sydney and the Blue Mountains, but from 4:00pm Sunday, people in the Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas will also need to comply with this public health order.

From 4:00pm on Sunday, face masks are mandatory in certain settings if you’re in several Sydney local government areas, including:

• Randwick
• Waverley 
• Woollahra 
• Sydney
• Canada Bay
• Inner West
• Bayside 

People in those areas must wear masks in:

• Retail shops (including supermarkets)
• Theatres 
• Aged-care facilities 
• Or, if they are front-of-house hospitality staff

While NSW Health “continues to ask people to wear masks in indoor settings”, if you’re a customer in a pub, bar or restaurant, they will not be compulsory.

Masks are also not mandatory in schools.

Masks are not going to be mandatory in private offices, however, NSW Health is advising people to work from home if they can.

They’re also not going to be mandatory in gyms, despite being seen as “high risk” environments for transmission.

While no capacity restrictions at hospitality venues and public or private gatherings have been introduced, NSW Health has urged people to use common sense.

“Everyone is strongly urged to avoid gatherings and minimise their movements, such as not attending the cinemas or trips to the ski fields,” it said in a statement.

South Australian authorities have announced border restrictions for people who have been in Sydney’s Waverley Council area, in response to a growing cluster of COVID-19 cases.

Under the border rule changes, which came into effect at 7:48pm on Saturday, only South Australian residents, people genuinely relocating or those escaping domestic violence will be allowed in.

They will be required to complete two weeks of self-quarantine.

South Australia had already imposed two weeks’ quarantine on anyone who’s been to a New South Wales COVID-19 hotspot.

Premier Steven Marshall said authorities had to make the changes “in response to the situation that’s unfolding in New South Wales”.

“Previously we had restrictions on people coming into the state who had been to those hotspots — we’ve now had to expand that to include the whole Waverley LGA,” said Mr Marshall.

“We do that to keep South Australia protected. We’re enjoying a quality of life and a strong economy, the likes of which many other parts of the world are hugely envious of at the moment.

“We don’t want to take risks.”

The change was announced after New South Wales authorities reported two locally acquired cases were recorded in the 24 hours to 8:00pm on Saturday — bringing the cluster to nine cases.

Mr Marshall said South Australian authorities have a good relationship with New South Wales Chief Health Officer, Kerry Chant, and the information coming through about the cluster was “increasingly concerning”.

State authorities will now continue to monitor the situation