The furious reaction to a suggestion by the health bureaucrats that they extend rules for mask-wearing through Christmas has been overwhelming.
Face coverings could remain mandatory in indoor settings in New South Wales even after the state hits the 95 per cent vaccination rate, amid concerns infections will spike in lead up to the busy festive season.
The NSW government is considering expanding the mandate on masks past mid-December amid concerns that the virus could spread further and lead to a worrying increase in infections.
Brad Hazzard, Health Minister has pledged support for the extension of the mask rule with the government expected to announce it within days.
2GB Breakfast host Ben Fordham was the first to voice outrage at the proposal. He called it ‘over-cautious.
Sydney shoppers, pictured at Pitt Street Mall in Sydney may still have to wear masks during the Christmas rush
On Wednesday, he said that it had become exhausting so he needed to keep going.
It’s supposed that it will end in mid-December. What’s the difference?
“We gave up worrying so much about the case numbers quite a while back, don’t you remember? We got vaccinated because of that! Is this really going to last?
“If Christmas shopping is our concern, we must also be concerned about Boxing Day and New Years sales.
You must wear masks on all public transport and rideshare vehicles, as well as in shared areas in apartment buildings.
Queensland stopped selling masks in retail outlets once it had achieved 80 per cent single-dose vaccination rates.
Fordham spoke out about how last weekend he went on just one-hour shopping trip with his family before he got tired of wearing masks.
He addressed a plea to Dominic Perrottet, the Premier of NSW to be more common-sense and not bow down to him the demands of unelected bureaucrats.
Fordham stated, “The government has given in to the health officials too many time,”
All restrictions had to be lifted at the double dosage of 80 per cent. After that, it was increased to 95%. The cautious advice of a doctor is the basis for every decision.
‘Premier please, prove once and for all unelected bureaucrats are not running the show.’
‘From December 15, people deserve a choice.’
Masks could remain mandatory in NSW indoor retail settings even after the state hits the 95 per cent vaccination rate by mid December (pictured, Sydney shoppers last weekend)
Fordham received support from listeners to talkback who wanted the repeal of the mask rule.
One person said, “Get rid of those damn masks!”
One more: “Premier should stop the wearing of masks in schools.”
A third stated that he had lost interest in Christmas shopping because of the masks.
Online, the proposal caused much more discordant reactions. Many were content to keep wearing their masks in order to defend themselves.
One woman wrote, “I don’t mind wearing an mask to be secure,”
Another added: ‘Wearing a mask is the least restrictive measure we have. It’s not clear to me what the fuss is all about. This is just a cover-up.
In Australia, NSW ranks second to the ACT when it comes to vaccination rates.
As of Tuesday evening, 91.9% of state-aged over-16s had been fully vaccinated.
NSW Health Bureaucrats Want to Extend the Mask Wearing Mandat into 2022. (Photo: Masked commuters using public transport).
There are fears that coronavirus could spread in the run-up to Christmas. The mandate for masks may be made indoors, even though 95% of the vaccine rates have been administered (pictured by shoppers in Sydney).
The Daily Telegraph reports that people who are not vaccinated in NSW may now enter the same places as those who have been vaccinated. This is causing some doctors to press for it to be kept in force, The Daily Telegraph reported.
You can take them off for food and drinks, although they are required at all times in shopping malls and shops.
In offices, masks are not required anymore. However, they may be needed in areas such as lobbies or lifts.
According to the state’s minister of health, it is ‘understandable that the rules will remain in place as coronavirus outbreaks continue around the globe.
It is possible that the virus may spread rapidly in retail environments, with many millions of shoppers shopping just before Christmas. This has prompted health officials to rush to require face coverings. (pictured: Shoppers when the lockdown restrictions were relaxed).
‘At times like the mad retail rush we’ll see at Black Friday and Christmas it becomes pretty clear why Health will be likely to have continuing concerns,’ Mr Hazzard said.
The new premier is expected to be confronted with a split party room on the matter as he seeks post-lockdown management to keep his popularity.
His cabinet will meet on Thursday to discuss continuing restrictions and mandates. Some rules may fall sooner than expected.
‘Any potential changes to the road map will take into account the evolving nature of the pandemic and consider the relevant health, safety and economic advice,’ a spokesman for Premier Perrottet said.
NSW Health stated that masks were ‘particularly effective indoors’, and suggested that this would be the recommendation made to ministers at the crucial meeting.
According to a spokesperson, wearing protective masks on indoor and public transports provides Covid-19 protection.
Some health officials in NSW have announced that unvaccinated NSW residents can now enter the same venues and facilities as those who are vaccinated beginning December 15th. This will increase the urgency to maintain mask mandates, which is why some of the staff (pictured above, Sydney shoppers after October lockdown)