The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) recommends that in areas under Stage 3 restrictions and other hotspots as they are identified, cloth or surgical masks be worn in any public place where physical distancing is not possible.

In those hotspots, even in situations where physical distancing is possible, the RACP recommends that all persons should carry a mask in the event that physical distancing becomes impossible.

This advice needs to be adopted urgently in those Victorian areas under Stage 3 restrictions and would also apply in other areas of the country where hotspots are determined by jurisdictions.

The College also notes that healthcare workers are at higher risk of Covid19 infection and should use surgical masks when at work, or N95 masks when in contact with high risk patients or performing high risk (aerosol generating) procedures.

In addition to wearing masks as indicated above, everyone in the hotspot areas need to:

·       Stay at home if unwell

·       practise good hand and respiratory hygiene, especially frequent hand hygiene

·       practise physical distancing

·       avoid large gatherings and crowded indoor spaces

·       understand how to self-isolate in the event that you need to