Kerry Chant’s surprise call on masks

The state’s chief health officer Kerry Chant made the announcement on Wednesday morning, after Premier Dominic Perrottet scrapped most of the state’s pandemic rules. Dr Chant detailed how household contacts will need to undertake a rapid antigen test and wear a face mask while indoors. However, in a word of extreme advice, she advised that those living with those infected should be masked up when in their own homes. “We’re asking people to wear masks in indoor spaces, to work from home when practical and to use daily rapid antigen testing if going to crowded places,” she said. “So instead of the strict guidelines they now adhere to in relation to self isolation, they will now have a more permissive set of guidelines to follow.”Victoria joined NSW in scrapping most of its Covid restrictions, with both states’ new rules coming into effect on Friday, at midnight and 6pm respectively. The major shift comes as both states are believed to have passed the peak of their latest Omicron surges.Current rules mandate that anyone who lives with a positive coronavirus case must isolate at home for seven days after a positive test is recorded.In Victoria, household contacts will have to wear a mask indoors and avoid sensitive settings.Household contacts will also need to carry out five rapid antigen tests over the course of the seven days that they previously would have been in isolation.People who contract Covid will still need to isolate for a week.Masks will no longer be required in primary schools.The lockout of unvaccinated Victorians will also come to an end as people won’t be required to show their vaccination status before entering venues.Mr Perrottet said his state’s changes came after a “very difficult two years” for people across NSW.“I want to emphasise that obviously the pandemic isn’t over. There is a long way to go, but we’ve made changes in consultation with the business community and union representatives,” he said.“And because of the efforts that everyone has made, we’re able today to make some further changes.”The imminent overhaul comes in response to pressure on state governments in both Victoria and NSW to relax their Covid rules.