By Mitchell Clarke
Three local MPs have piled pressure on Premier Daniel Andrews to relax the controversial mask mandate, as virus numbers remain low and warmer weather approaches.
Liberal MPs Brad Battin and Gary Blackwood have joined pleas from Nationals Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath, who took to State Parliament to call for masks to be made optional.
With the New South Wales border opening on 23 November, Ms Bath argued it was appropriate to change the mask rule to “advisable, when physical distancing is not possible”.
“The Nationals have repeatedly asked the Premier to release his health evidence he on masks, however our requests have been repeatedly refused,” Ms Bath said.
“With zero cases in Gippsland, a 14 day rolling average of 0.4 cases and no recorded community transmission in Victoria, mandatory mask wearing in all situations has become unnecessary.”
Narracan MP Gary Blackwood said the appropriateness of masks needed to be reviewed as the state approached a “Covid normal”.
“There are definitely situations where masks are valuable where physical distancing may not be possible such as on public transport and in shopping centres, but where possible we should be looking to wind back restrictions in line with the risk,” he said.
“I’ve had many reach out to me questioning the appropriateness of masks in obvious areas such as on golf courses, when out walking with their families in their local neighbourhood or on beaches when there is nobody else in close proximity.
“The Andrews Government has to tell Victorians how they intend on winding back mask directions and it is important that we fall into line with other States who currently don’t mandate wearing masks in all settings.”
Gembrook MP Brad Battin argued the mask rule could potentially drive more damage to an already struggling state, particularly in regional areas reliant on the tourist dollar.“The Premier wants people to holiday in Victoria, yet I have to ask why would anyone holiday in this state over summer if they must wear a mask when they can go over the border and not wear one and enjoy a mask free holiday,” he said.
“Let us use common sense, and so people will choose Gippsland over Goulburn.”
Premier Daniel Andrews has not yet set a timeline on when the mask rule could change but has hinted it may be around for a while longer.
“I’ll just be really clear, masks are there to protect all of us,” he said at a recent press conference, but he acknowledged the need to wear masks outdoors would “not be there forever”.
“We will make a change at the appropriate time,” he said.
