Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Health spokesperson
The Gutwein Government’s decision to remove mask wearing protections in most indoor settings is reckless. This was laid bare by Public Health’s advice that mask wearing indoors is still recommended.
Today’s further weakening of protections follows four days of cases over 1,000 - the highest rate of infections per capita in the country - and confirmation the new Covid variant is now established in Tasmania
Covid is already infecting Tasmania school students, and case numbers are on the rise. The last thing a responsible government would do is take away mandatory universal protections.
Universal mask wearing reduces the risk of hospitalisation from Covid, as well as the risk of developing long Covid and its potentially serious and disabling consequences.
Today’s advice will confuse Tasmanians. Clearly the only reason the Liberals have removed the mask mandate, yet continue to recommend mask wearing, is to satisfy their industry mates.
In the current Covid climate, the Premier‘s decision is reckless and it flies in the face of independent epidemiological science.
The Director of Public Health urged employers to consider worker safety and individual workplace needs regarding mask wearing. Given the government’s failure to keep people safe in these high levels of Covid transmission, we urge all Tasmanians to continue wearing masks.