Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Melbourne's Face Mask Mandate Takes Effect Amid Spike of COVID-19 Cases

VOA News

   A mandatory face mask order officially took effect Thursday in
   Australia's second-largest city, Melbourne, which has become the
   epicenter of the country's rising number of novel coronavirus cases.

   The mandate is the latest order imposed on Melbourne's five million
   residents in an attempt to control the spike in COVID-19 infections.
   Anyone over the age of 12 caught in public without any kind of face
   mask or covering could be fined up to $143, while employers who
   discourage their workers from wearing a mask face a potential fine of
   more than $7,000.

   Premier David Andrews of Victoria state, of which Melbourne is the
   capital, said the face mask mandate was imposed due to the increase of
   confirmed COVID-19 infections, and a refusal by residents who tested
   positive for the virus to isolate themselves.

   "They have gone out shopping. They have gone to work. They have been at
   the height of their infectivity, and they have just continued on as
   usual," Andrews told reporters.

   Victoria state posted a single-day record of 484 new COVID-19 cases on
   Wednesday. The city is in the second of a six-week lockdown that bans
   all residents from leaving home unless going to work, school, medical
   appointments or shopping for food.

   Cross-border travel between Victoria and the neighboring state of New
   South Wales has been suspended indefinitely, with the exception of
   traveling for work, education and medical care.

.