These include:

• libraries
• customer service centres
• community centres

Staff at our venues may refuse entry to anyone without a mask who does not meet the exemption criteria.

Exemption criteria

The public health order includes several exemptions for not wearing or removing a mask under certain circumstances.

You are not required to wear a mask if you:

• are a child aged 12 or under
• have a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a mask unsuitable (for example, a skin condition, an intellectual disability, autism or trauma).

You may remove your mask when you are:

• eating or drinking
• communicating with another person who is deaf or hard of hearing
• at work and the nature of your work
  • makes wearing a face mask a risk to your or another person’s health and safety
  • means clear enunciation or visibility of your mouth is essential
• asked to remove your mask for identity purposes.

NSW Government advice about mask use

In Greater Sydney (including Wollongong, Central Coast and Blue Mountains) face masks are mandatory in the following indoor settings:

• Retail, supermarkets and shopping centres
• Public and shared transport
• Indoor entertainment including cinemas and theatres
• Places of public worship
• Hair and beauty premises
• Tattoo parlours
• Massage parlours
• Betting agencies
• Gaming areas in licensed premises

Face masks are also mandatory for all employees in:

• hospitality venues for employees in customer-facing roles
• gaming areas in licensed premises including casinos.

Masks on public transport

You must wear a mask on public transport including a taxi or a rideshare service.

You must also wear a mask when you are at a public transport waiting area which includes:

• the station area and platform of a passenger railway or light rail station
• a ferry wharf
• a bus stop or light rail stop, including any area where persons queue or gather when waiting at the stop
• a taxi rank, including any area where persons queue or gather when waiting at a taxi rank.

Embedded content: https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1345575714825719809

Type of face masks required

Disposable and cloth masks are available from supermarkets, pharmacies and hardware stores. If you’re looking for a little more flair and fashion with your face covering, you can pick up a bespoke design.

Under the public health order, a fitted face covering means a mask or other covering that:

• fits securely around the face
• is designed or made to be worn over the nose and mouth to provide the wearer with protection against infection.

Fines apply

You may be fined $200 on the spot for not wearing a face mask.

There are also penalties for hospitality venue operators who fail to ensure their staff wear masks as required.

The fines are $1000 for an individual and $5000 for a corporate operator.

Children aged 12 and under are exempt but are encouraged to wear masks where possible.

Full list of premises where you need to wear a mask

Under the punlic health order people who enter or work in the following premises will be required to wear a mask:

• Retail or business premises that provide goods or services to members of the public, including
  • supermarkets
  • shopping centres, but not a recreation facility in a shopping centre
  • banks
  • post offices
  • Service NSW centres
  • hairdressing salons
  • nail salons
  • beauty salons
  • tanning salons
  • waxing salons
  • spas
  • tattoo parlours
  • massage parlours
  • betting agencies
  • gaming lounges
• Entertainment facilities
• Gaming areas in licensed premises including casinos
• Premises used for public worship or religious services
• Visitors at residential aged care facilities

A mask is not a substitute for good hand hygiene and physical distancing

Remember, the best ways to protect yourself and others against Covid-19 remain:

• practicing physical distancing and avoiding crowds
• washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap, or an alcohol-based hand-rub
• coughing or sneezing into your elbow or tissue
• staying home if unwell.

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 should get tested.