Mandatory Masks - Notice from Tas Govt

Published Tue 21 Dec 2021

Mandatory Mask-wearing in Public

The Director of Public Health has announced that face masks are compulsory in all indoor settings from today, Tuesday 21 December 2021.

All people aged 12 years and older are required (unless exempt) to wear a mask in all public indoor spaces under a new Public Health Direction.

Wearing a mask reduces the chance of passing the virus on to others if a person is unknowingly infected with COVID-19 and helps to protect you against infection.

The mask requirements apply in all indoor spaces, which are substantially enclosed by a permanent or temporary roof and walls. This includes temporary structures, such as a marquee. Masks are also required at indoor private events unless they are held at residential premises (your home or someone else's home).

Individuals are responsible for providing their own mask. Carry a mask with you whenever you leave your house.

Exercise, sport and recreation

Masks are required in indoor sporting and exercise facilities, including fitness studios, gyms, pools and indoor courts.

Masks may be removed while doing intense physical exercise or swimming.

The kinds of activities that involve 'intense physical exercise' will vary between individuals, but as a general rule, you can remove your mask if you are out of breath or puffing. However, masks must be put back on as soon as you finish exercising and should be worn while doing other activities that are not intensive, such as stretching.

Officials such as umpires and commentators can remove masks if clear communication is a requirement of their role. People may also remove a mask indoors if wearing a mask presents a health and safety risk.

More information on circumstances where you can remove a mask and people exempt from these requirements is available on the Tasmanian Government's Coronavirus website.

Reasons for not wearing a mask are not always obvious, so please be respectful of others.

Compliance

Individuals are responsible for wearing a mask where required and supplying their mask. A business or event operator can refuse entry if someone is not wearing a mask and does not have an exemption. Individuals may face a fine of $778.50 for failing to comply with a direction to wear a mask.

Signage is available to help business and event operators promote the need for masks. Search the Keep it COVID Safe resources.

If you have any questions or concerns about how the mask requirements apply to your sport and recreational activity, you can contact the Sport and Recreation team at sportrec@communities.tas.gov.au or on 1800 252 476.

Tasmanian Government COVID-19 Information and Support

The Tasmanian Government's coronavirus.tas.gov.au website is the first point of call for COVID-19 information relating to Tasmania, including:

Australian Government COVID-19 Information and Support

For regular Australian Government updates, download the Coronavirus Australia app in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or join the WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android