FACE MANDATE TO BE UNMASKED

IT TAKES SOME GETTING USED TO AND EVERY NOW AND THEN PEOPLE FORGET … BUT PEOPLE WERE VERY GOOD AND THEY UNDERSTOOD WE DON’T WANT COVID DOWN HERE.

THE mandated routine wearing of face masks throughout southern Tasmania is expected to be lifted at 6pm on Friday, but the rule will remain for a range of situations.

The requirement for Tasmanians in 12 southern local government areas to wear a mask indoors and outdoors when outside their home stayed in force as a precaution after the end of a three-day lockdown on Monday.

Authorities on Friday will provide a further update, where it is anticipated the mask mandate will be eased.

It will depend on the latest information on testing for Covid-19, following a positive case who spent time in the community last week.

The requirement to mask up has also applied to gym-goers, and All Aerobics Fitness co-owner Guy Franklin said people there had been very receptive.

“They really have been quite diligent actually, because there’s that sense of relief that we haven’t had to

GYM OWNER GUY FRANKLIN

go through what people on the mainland went through, and we feel a lot of empathy for them,’’ he said.

“It takes some getting used to and every now and then people forget … but people were very good and they understood we don’t want Covid down here.”

While the broader mask rules are expected to lift, they will still be required in healthcare settings such as hospitals, on commercial flights and within Tasmanian airports.

Face masks are also required to be worn at events where there are more than 1000 people attending, regardless of whether they are seated or unseated, indoors or outdoors.