Overview
From tomorrow, Monday, August 3, the NSW Government is strongly recommending Sydneysiders wear face masks as the state is at "high risk" with increased community transmission and the high number of cases in bordering Victoria.
At a press conference today, Sunday, August 2, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said masks should be worn in four key situations: if you're in an enclosed space and can't social distance, such as at a supermarket or on public transport; if you're working a customer-facing job, such as hospitality or retail; if you're attending a place of worship; and if you're in an area where there is high levels of community transmission.
"I want to stress it is not compulsory, but it is a strong recommendation from health, given where we are in the pandemic, given the risk posed from Victoria and given the rate of community transmission in New South Wales," the Premier said.
The Premier also said that wearing a mask does not replace other hygiene and social distancing measures, but is a "fourth line of defence". "The first line of defence is that if you even have the slightest symptoms, or you have been asked to get tested, get tested and stay isolated for 14 days," the Premier said. "Secondly, you have to socially distance, whatever you are — 1.5 metres — no exceptions for anybody... [and] you have to keep up your hand hygiene."
The announcement comes as NSW records 12 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours leading up to 8pm on Saturday, August 1, with one of those a returned traveller in hotel quarantine.
A number of COVID-19 clusters have been recorded in suburbs across Sydney, with 98 cases linked to Thai Rock in Wetherill Park, 57 with Casula's Crossroads Hotel and 24 to Potts Point, as of Saturday, August 1. NSW Health is continuing to update a list of venues linked to positive cases here and its map of cases by postcode over here.
Woolworths and Bunnings have already strongly recommended its NSW customers wear face masks, with Bunnings requiring its staff at stores within the state to wear them from tomorrow.
If you don't have a mask, Victoria's Department of Health has put together a handy step-by-step guide for how you can make your own — or you can order custom one with your pet's face on it.
To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in NSW, head to the NSW Health website.