SIR, – As the weather heats up and COVID-19 cases stay low, the rules around mandatory masks must be reviewed.

After nearly two weeks of no new cases statewide and with just four active cases in a state of nearly 6.5-million people, it’s difficult to understand why Daniel Andrews refuses to budge.

Even public health experts are questioning the rule.

Chair of epidemiology at Deakin University, Professor Catherine Bennett, says as cases stay low ‘masks don’t add a lot’ and that strict enforcement might actually encourage non-compliance.

Meanwhile, Professorial Fellow in Epidemiology at the University of Melbourne, Professor Tony Blakely, says based on current numbers by the end of the month we won’t ‘need masks at all’.

I wrote to the Chief Health Officer and asked the health minister in State Parliament to be transparent with Victorians and provide the public health advice that supports the rule – but they refuse to respond. We can all agree they are necessary in high-traffic places that bring in a crowd – in the supermarket, the local hardware store, down the main street – but why should we be fined for not wearing a mask to walk the dog alone? To play golf solo? Or go fishing?

Premier Daniel Andrews has admitted that on masks he has gone beyond the public health advice.

Victorians should not be subject to any more ‘captain’s calls’ from a premier whose government caused Victoria to suffer a second wave.

Peter Walsh

Leader of the Nationals

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