Aust minister reiterates importance of mask-wearing, social distancing

Canberra: Australian Health Minister Greg

Hunt reiterated the importance of face masks and social distancing measures as the nation’s COVID-19 cases have surpassed 13,000 on Thursday.

From Thursday, about five million residents in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire in the state of Victoria are required to wear masks when leaving home.

“Each one of us can help save a life or inadvertently, risk a life,”

Hunt told Sunrise, an Australian breakfast show programme. “We’re at that moment in our history where our individual actions are perhaps more important than ever.

“Keeping the distance, practicing the cough etiquette, wearing the mask, but above all else, keeping your space and being at home if you have the symptoms or if you have been tested and you’re waiting for a result.”