Metropolitan Melbourne Residents Are Now Required to Wear Fitted Face Masks

It has been more than two months since wearing a face mask was made compulsory in metropolitan Melbourne, with residents currently required to wear a facial covering in the few situations they are permitted to leave their homes. And while many of the city's other strict restrictions are slowly easing — including the curfew, which ended at 5am today, Monday, September 28 — the rules around wearing a mask have just gotten more stringent.

As part of the step two requirements, with metropolitan Melbourne entering that phase from 11.59pm on Sunday, September 27, the only face coverings that are now acceptable are fitted face masks that cover the nose and mouth. Although bandanas, scarves and face shields were previously considered acceptable, that's no longer the case.

Announcing the change yesterday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews advised that with some limits regarding gatherings and attending work easing, the face mask rules have tightened. "With more people moving across our city, our public health team have advised the rules around wearing a mask need to be strengthened," he said. "Some of the concessions we made as we adjusted to this new normal — things like wearing a scarf or a bandana or a face shield — will no longer apply."

While the new fitted face mask requirement came into effect last night, Melburnians will be given time to comply. According to the document released by Premier Andrews that outlines the full set of rules under step two, "there will be a one-week grace period in enforcement".

If you're now wondering where to grab a fitted mask, we've put together a rundown of local companies making and selling them.