If you have any doubts, mask up – that’s the edict from NSW Health after the new restrictions came into effect overnight.
From Monday 23 August, Hunter residents will need to wear face coverings indoors and outdoors at all places that are not your home.
So, once you step off your property, don a mask or risk being heavily fined.
There are, however, some exceptions to the rules.
“You can remove your mask if you are in a vehicle alone or with another person who is a member of your household, or your nominated visitor or partner,” an NSW Health spokesperson said.
“Outdoor areas don’t include sections, which are part of your residential premises.
“So, you can sit in your garden or be in your front yard without having to wear a mask.
“But, you must sport one when in shared/common areas of a unit block/property such as lifts, hallways and laundries, for example.
“When not wearing a mask outdoors, you must carry it with you at all times.
“For those with a disability, physical or mental health illness or condition, you have to possess a medical certificate or letter signed by a registered health practitioner (such as a doctor) or a registered NDIS provider.”
Other exceptions, according to the Public Health Orders, are:
- Eating or drinking
- Engaging in physical exercise
- Communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing
- Engaging in work if: wearing the covering is a risk to the person’s, or another person’s, health and safety; enunciation or visibility of the person’s mouth is essential; or the work is in an indoor area and no other person is in the area
- Requested to remove the covering as part of an identity check
- Required to remove the covering: because of an emergency or for the proper provision of goods or a service
- In a vehicle and no other person is in the vehicle other than a member of the person’s household; or the person’s nominated visitor
- In a hotel, motel or other accommodation facility as a guest and is in the person’s own room
- In a school as a student
- In a public hospital or private health facility as a patient
- In a residential aged care facility as a resident
- In a correctional centre or other place of custody, or
- In the process of getting married.
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