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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-07-22 Daily Xml
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Coronavirus, Face Masks

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (14:23): Supplementary question: minister, are you in a position or are you considering a recommendation to the South Australian community about the wearing of face masks, not just for clinicians and staff but for the general public?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:23): I thank the honourable member for his question. First of all, I will distinguish between the D95+ respiratory masks, which are also known as P2/N95 masks. They are more specialised masks that are used, as I understand it, in infectious diseases wards and intensive care wards. The honourable member is more likely to be referring to the level 1 and level 3 masks.

I note that Victoria has recommended masks and other face coverings in Melbourne. I understand that New South Wales has recommended the use of masks in areas where it's difficult to socially distance. I think it would be fair to say that South Australia has put its toe in the water in relation to people coming across the border, particularly from Victoria, where they are asked to wear masks. My understanding is both essential travellers and non-essential travellers are asked to wear masks when they need to be in public.

The advice in relation to masks is fundamentally related to the level of community transmission in a community. There is no evidence of sustained community transmission in South Australia. If that changes, I'm sure public health officials will reconsider their advice, but my understanding of the advice from public health officials at this stage is that it is not recommended that South Australians routinely wear masks when in public.

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