ACT Health are strongly encouraging all Canberrans to wear a face mask when in public indoor settings. Face masks provide another layer of protection along with other COVID Smart behaviours – like maintaining good hygiene, staying at home if unwell, getting tested and staying up to date with COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.
Wearing a face mask is a simple action most of us can take to protect ourselves, the people we love and our community.
Please wear a face mask when entering a public indoor setting, or when you can’t physically distance from others.
Face masks provide another layer of protection along with other COVID Smart behaviours like maintaining good hygiene, staying at home if you’re unwell, getting tested and staying up to date with your COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.
Different types of face masks are available, including:
- cloth face mask
- surgical face mask
- P2/N95 respirator
The effectiveness of face masks depends on the type of mask as well as consistent and correct use.
It’s also important to remember that wearing a face mask is still required in the following situations:
- on public transport, including buses, light rail, taxi, ride share vehicle and hire cars
- for household contacts in any indoor setting that is not their own home
- in high risk settings, like hospitals, residential aged care facilities and correctional centres
- for workers providing in-home services or support to someone who is elderly or has a disability.
If you are a household contact (someone who lives with a person who has been diagnosed with COVID-19), you must wear a mask in any indoor setting that is not your home.
Children under the age of 12 are not required to wear a face mask.
More information is available on ACT Health’s website www.covid19.act.gov.au/masks