Commuters in New South Wales will no longer be required to wear a mask on public transportation, as the ban has been largely disregarded.
On Wednesday, Premier Dominic Perrottet stated that masks will be optional on all kinds of transportation, including taxis and ridesharing services.
“This is a common sense approach that aligns the rules for bus and train passengers with those for airlines and airport terminals,” he said.
NSW Health continues to recommend that people use masks in situations where they cannot physically separate themselves from others and when there are vulnerable persons or those at high risk for serious illness.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard stated that persons with underlying health issues or who are susceptible to Covid-19 infection for other reasons should continue to wear a mask in crowded situations.
Not only can wearing a mask in these conditions protect people around you, but it will also minimize your chance of illness.
Requirements to isolate for at least five days after a positive test would remain in effect, and Mr. Hazzard urged citizens of New South Wales to continue getting tested.
“We can all continue to safeguard each other, but especially those most susceptible to Covid-19 infection, by staying at home when ill, taking a Covid-19 test immediately, and isolating ourselves,” he stated.
David Elliott, minister of transportation, praised the decision to align the mask requirement for commuters with those of other states, domestic travel, and venues.
“Throughout this pandemic, everyone has proved that they will do whatever is necessary to protect themselves and each other from Covid-19, and I have no doubt that they will continue to do so,” he stated.
“Commuters will be glad to hear this news since they will now be free to make a personal decision and choose when to wear a mask, especially in outdoor public transportation settings,”
Even the notoriously Covid-paranoid Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan, repealed the mask requirement for public transportation on September 9.
Although mandatory masks have been in effect since February, when the indoor mandate was eliminated, fewer people are wearing them.
Even a substantial portion of bus drivers in recent months did not bother to put them on, and passengers were not asked to do so until recently.
Masks will continue to be required at public hospitals, private health facilities, and senior living facilities.