New rules for masks in NSW hospitals as further restrictions kick in
Hospital staff in NSW are now required to wear masks if they are within 1.5 metres of patients as NSW Health raised the risk level to "amber".
The new rules around masks in healthcare settings follow tighter restrictions on cafes, restaurants, weddings and funerals, which came into effect at midnight.
All hospital staff in NSW must now wear masks if they are within 1.5 metres of any patient.Credit:Kate Geraghty
NSW Health secretary Elizabeth Koff said the decision to raise the COVID-19 risk level to moderate, or amber, was due to the rise in local transmission of COVID-19.
From Friday, all health workers must now wear a surgical mask if they are within 1.5 metres of patients.
Patients are also required to wear a mask where possible, and visitors must don masks before entering a health facility. The rule does not apply to children under the age of 12.
Ms Koff said the new advice applies to all hospital and community health settings, and the use of personal protective equipment was an "integral element" of keeping health staff safe.
"I want to emphasise that mask use supplements, but is not a substitute for, other precautions such as hand hygiene and physical distancing," she said.
"The Clinical Excellence Commission and the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) are continuously monitoring the evolving situation, and will update advice as new evidence emerges, and risk levels change."
Further restrictions aimed to curb the spread of COVID-19 came into effect on Friday.
From Friday, cafes, bars and restaurants will be required to limit group bookings to 10 people and a cap of 300 patrons has been imposed on venues.
The rules, which came into effect for pubs on July 17, reduce the size of bookings from 20 people and make COVIDSafe registration for businesses compulsory.
Weddings and corporate events are now limited to 150 people, and funerals and places of worship are limited to 100 people. The one person per four square metre rule still applies.
Announcing the new restrictions last week, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the measures will reduce the risk of community transmission and help authorities get the spread of the virus under control.
"We absolutely need everybody seated when they are in a venue," she said. "No dancing, no singing, no mingling."