Woolworths Is "Strongly Encouraging" Shoppers to Wear Face Masks in NSW and Parts of Queensland

With the number of new cases of COVID-19 in NSW increasing over recent days — with 21 recorded in the 24 hours leading up up to 8pm on Thursday, July 30 — Woolworths is "strongly encouraging" its customers and staff to wear masks in stores across NSW, the ACT and parts of Queensland.

While the wearing of masks is only mandatory in Victoria, Woolworths says it hopes the recommendation will help reduce community transmission of COVID-19 in the other states.

"As the largest private sector employer with stores in almost every community, we feel it's important we lead the way in helping reduce community transmission of COVID-19," Woolworths Group CEO Brad Banducci said in a statement. "Masks and face coverings are a highly visible symbol of the persistence of COVID-19. By encouraging and role modelling their use, it will further support the steps we need to collectively take to stop the spread of the virus and keep our team and customers safe."

The retail group is encouraging all NSWand ACT residents to wear faces masks or coverings when visiting or working at Woolworths supermarkets, Big Ws, Dan Murphy's and BWS shops from Monday, August 3. It's also encouraging Brisbanites in hotspot areas to wear masks from tomorrow, Saturday, August 1.

The decision comes as new COVID-19 clusters are recorded in suburbs across Sydney, with 94 cases linked to Thai Rock in Wetherill Park, 57 with Casula's Crossroads Hotel and 19 to Potts Point. Two of Brisbane's recent confirmed cases are also linked to Sydney's Potts Point cluster, but are both people in isolation.

Queensland recorded just one new case in the past 24 hours, but Queensland Health sent out a public health alert on Wednesday, July 29 detailing places visited by two Queenslanders who returned from Melbourne via Sydney, failed to self-quarantine and tested positive to the coronavirus. These include restaurants, shops, school and medical centres  in Brown Plains, Park Ridge, South Bank, Springfield, Springwood, Sunnybank and Woodridge. Queensland Health is continuing to update the list over here.

Face masks will be strongly encouraged when visiting or working at Woolworths Group venues in NSW and ACT from Monday, August 3 and in Queensland hotspots from Saturday, August 1. You can find out more over here.