On the second consecutive day of record positive COVID-19 tests in Victoria, the Premier Daniel Andrews urged all regional Victorians to wear masks if they don't believe they can socially distance.
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Premier Andrews said that wearing masks could help in limiting the number of cases in regional Victoria.
The wearing of masks has been widely debated locally in recent days after Ballarat mayor Cr Ben Taylor and City of Ballarat CEO Janet Dore made a joint call for them to worn more widely in the city.
It can make a really big difference in stopping the spread of this virus and keeping those numbers in regional Victoria very low so we don't have to be changing rules
- Premier Daniel Andrews
Their statement - which also called for residents to limit their travel outside of the municipality - drew criticism on social media, as well as from state minister Jaala Pulford, for going beyond the current DHHS advice.
At a press conference on Friday, Premier Andrews said: "As a precautionary measure, we are now requesting of all regional Victorians if you are out and about and you don't believe you will be able to maintain that 1.5 metre social distance - if you are in an Uber or a taxi, or public transport, or at the shops... we are requesting of you that you wear a mask.
"That is a small thing but it can make a really big difference in stopping the spread of this virus and keeping those low numbers in regional Victoria very low so we don't have to be changing settings or rules for regional areas of our state.
"That mask can be home made, that mask can be one you've bought, it can take the form of a scarf.
"They never eliminate risk but they can reduce it."
The mask advice is the same issued for residents in locked down metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.
Premier Andrews' request followed an announcement of 428 new cases state-wide in the past 24 hours.
It is the 12th consecutive day of rapid growth, with no immediate sign of the hoped-for plateau that chief health officer Brett Sutton spoke of on Thursday.
Premier Andrews also announced on Friday that coronavirus testing would be further ramped up across the state with new sites to be set up in regional Victoria.
The regional testing sites will be established in Echuca, Wonthaggi, Bendigo, Shepparton, Koo Wee Rup and Mildura.
There will also be public health teams focused based in regional cities, including in Ballarat.
There are now 122 people are in hospitals across Victoria, with 31 in intensive care an increase of 13 from yesterday.
IN OTHER NEWS:
The breakdown of COVID-19 cases by local government area will be released later today.
On Thursday, Ballarat had its first positive COVID case since May 17 while other regional cities have all seen new cases emerge over the past few days.
Golden Plains has four active cases as of Thursday July 16, while Moorabool has two.
- If you have cold or flu-like symptoms, make an appointment either online or by phone (4311 1571) to take a test at Lucas Community Hub. Tests are by appointment only.
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