Mask On, Mask Off
The Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, has been asked to end the mandating of mask wearing in Victoria.
Earlier this week, Premier Andrews announced masks would continue to be compulsory until at least the end of the year and possibly into 2021.
However, the Liberal Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, has told the Victorian Parliament that masks should only be voluntary.
“The face-mask mandate is made under the State of Emergency powers. This statement is proof that the government has no intention of winding back its extraordinary powers when the public health crisis subsides and their excruciating clandestine goal of elimination is achieved, a goal which many believe is unattainable,” Mrs McArthur said.
Her comments come as the state achieves multiple days of no Covid-deaths and zero, or minimal, infections. Regional Victoria has been largely Covid-free for weeks, and some municipalities have not had it at all.
Mrs McArthur said this is just one reason why the masks should be voluntary.
“In regional Victoria it is often nonsensical. A gathering of workers in a field on a farm in the blistering hot sunburnt country should not be forced to wear masks.
“A gentleman walking alone on an empty country road with no person in sight and no Covid-19 case within hundreds of kilometres should not be forced to wear a mask.”
“Bushwalkers in the Grampians on a hot summer’s day, or on the Port Fairy beach, should not have to wear masks.”
The Federal Department of Health maintains the position that where there is low community transmission of the virus, mask wearing is generally is not recommended.
“By, all means ensure the best available masks be provided to health workers who appear most at risk.
“But Victorians should be encouraged to be responsible for their own welfare and that of their fellow citizens, particularly in high-risk environments, but continuing to mandate them is wrong and unjustified,” she said.
“Masks should be optional, as they are for the rest of the country.”
29 October 2020