Masks compulsory
West Gippslanders are now required to wear a face mask when they leave their homes, but farmers working alone on their properties will not have to mask up.
The new COVID-19 restriction came into effect across regional Victoria from midnight on Sunday night.
All Victorians must now wear a mask when they leave home or face a $200 fine.
For farmers, premier Daniels Andrews indicated it was a common sense approach.
He said wearing of masks on a family farm was not necessary unless the farm had employees or family members who lived off farm. In that case everyone is required to wear a mask, family members and employees.
Mr Andrews said farmers needed to wear a mask as soon as they left the farm gate.
If a farmer is milking cows or performing farm duties on their own, or with family members from their own household, then they do not have to wear a mask.
However, if staff or contractors, including stock agents and tanker drivers attend at the property, everyone must wear a mask.
If you work on a farm that is not your own, you must wear a mask unless a lawful exception applies.
The new regulations are for everyone aged 12 years and over.
Children aged three to 11 do not have to wear a face covering but individual families can make their own decisions regarding their children.
Mr Andrews apologised for the inconvenience but said it was vital to maintain the low numbers of COVID-19 in regional Victoria.
“This is about keeping those numbers very, very low,” he said.
He said it was designed to protect people and enable regional Victoria to continue to have economic benefits.
“Regional Victoria needs to jealously guard those low numbers. By covering your face, you’re keeping local businesses open, and keeping local people in work,” he said.
The Health and Human Services Department guidelines indicate a face covering can be a cloth or surgical face mask or face shield. If a face mask is not available other forms of face covering may be used such as a scarf or bandana.
Face masks can be removed for eating or drinking.
Face masks are not required to be worn in vehicles, provided everyone in the vehicle is from the same household.
If you are doing strenuous exercise where you are out of breath or puffing, you do not need to wear a face covering. You do have to carry a face covering with you so you can wear it before or after exercising, unless you have a lawful exception.