By Phoebe Hosier and Emma Pollard
For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, mask wearing has been made compulsory for millions of residents in the Greater Brisbane region.
Queensland COVID-19 snapshot:
- Confirmed cases so far: 1,290
- Deaths: 6
- Tests conducted: 1,666,091
- Active cases: 30Latest information from Queensland Health.
The mandate has been imposed to stop a potentially “catastrophic” outbreak arising from a hotel quarantine cleaner being in the community for five days while infectious with the highly contagious mutant UK variant.
University of Queensland virologist Kirsty Short said masks were an effective preventative measure, particularly given the rates of asymptomatic transmission.
So what is the correct way to wear a mask? And do I really need to wear one when driving?
Here’s everything you need to know.
What are the rules?
If you live in any of the five local government areas that encompass Greater Brisbane, it’s mandatory for you to wear a mask when you leave your home during lockdown.
If you’re driving into Greater Brisbane from elsewhere during the lockdown, you must have a mask ready to wear.
You can take your mask off while eating and drinking and while at your home.
You also don’t need to wear a mask if you are outside but within the boundaries of your home, for example to garden or mow the lawn.
You must wear a mask while:
- Driving your car
- Doing exercise
- In workplaces
- At weddings or funerals
- Shopping at supermarkets and shopping centres
- On public transport or shared transport
Do I really need to wear a mask in the car?
Yes — even if you are alone while driving.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the mask rule also applied to people in cars because health officials wanted to make mask use “as simple as possible for everybody”.
“When you leave your household, put it on and keep it on until you get back home … including in the car,” she said.
Dr Short agreed.
“I think because of the short timeframe that this has all happened in, we want clear, concise instructions for everyone to follow,” she said.
“So if you put on your mask as soon as you leave the front door — no questions, no exceptions, then that’s much easier to follow.”
But use common sense here — make sure you can safely drive your car while wearing a mask, particularly if your mask is causing your glasses to fog up.
Catch up on the main COVID-19 news from January 15 with our coronavirus blog.
How long do I need to wear it for?
Anyone in the Greater Brisbane region is required to wear a mask when they leave their home throughout the lockdown period from 6:00pm Friday until 6:00pm Monday January 11.
But this could be extended depending on what happens with case numbers.
How do I wear it?
To wear your face mask correctly you should:
- Wash your hands with soap or hand sanitiser before putting on your mask
- Tie the mask around your head or put the loops over your ears
- Make sure the mask completely covers both your nose and mouth and there are no gaps between your face and the mask
- If you’re wearing a surgical mask, press the top of the mask to shape your nose
- Make sure your mask doesn’t have holes or valves
Queensland Health said a bandana or scarf could be used but only as a last resort.
