Despite some reluctance by commuters to wear them, masks are to stay for the foreseeable future.

 

While masks were once deemed not to be very effective in combating the spread of COVID-19, most experts now agree that the ubiquitous face covering is one of the best defences against the coronavirus.

 

Face masks, in combination with other personal protective equipment, can be an effective control measure for workers when it is not possible to maintain physical distancing from symptomatic people. 

 

The type of face mask used will depend on the setting. 

 

Respirator face masks (P2 or N95) are usually only required for health care workers when carrying out clinical procedures that generate aerosols. 

 

Wearing a face mask may also be appropriate in some non-health care settings or workplaces but are not mandatory for general office workplaces. 

 

The advice from the federal government has stayed the same throughout the pandemic: the biggest risk of catching COVID-19 comes from close contact with another person or touching an infected surface. 

 

However, the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this week reported a sharp decrease in mask-wearing across Sydney public transport with estimates that only one in five commuters are choosing to wear a mask.

 

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance urged commuters to wear masks, saying there was concern that mask use had dropped off as the state’s coronavirus numbers had become rosier recently.

 

The minister said he hoped Sydneysiders would voluntarily put on face coverings, and the government didn’t want to resort to a mandate.

 

“We don‘t want to have to mandate it. We don’t want to put in place measures, be it fines or denying people service,” he said.

 

Meantime, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the community will have to keep wearing masks, likely into next year, stressing it is a "very low price to pay for a very significant benefit".

 

Masks, along with hand sanitisers, have become a part of a boom COVID category for office products suppliers.

 

PHOTO CAPTION: Winc Australia talent advisor Simran Suryawansh promotes the company's mask range on a Sydney train station.