Australia’s most populous states reimpose the mask indoors

Sydney, Australia, Dec 23 (EFE).- The regional governments of New South Wales and Victoria, where more than half of Australia’s 25 million population live, announced Thursday the re-imposition of mandatory use of masks in indoor settings.

The measure, which comes into force at midnight in both states, coincides with the increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases and concerns about the spread of the more contagious omicron variant, according to experts.

“Face masks will be required in all indoor settings, except private homes, for persons eight and over,” Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino said.

“Face masks will also be required at all major events over 30,000 people,” he added.

Victoria’s capital Melbourne is the city has spent the most number of days under lockdown, with a total 262 days in six different periods.

New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet, on his part, called for cooperation from the people and urged them to work from home if possible.

These measures come a few days after Prime Minister Scott Morrison said no fresh lockdown would be imposed thanks to the success of the vaccination campaign that covered more than 90 percent of the target population with both doses.

The Oceanic country has accumulated since the beginning of the pandemic more than 265,000 confirmed infections and about 2,160 deaths, very low figures compared to other similar-sized countries. EFE

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