'Essentially Stage 4': Face masks to be made mandatory for all Victorians

From midnight this Sunday all Victorians will be required to wear a face mask when outside their home, regardless of where they live.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced that from 11.59pm on Sunday, August 2, face coverings will become mandatory for regional Victorians.

Face masks have been mandatory in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire for a week.

READ MORE: Victoria suffers its deadliest COVID-19 day on record

Those who refuse to wear a mask outdoors can be fined $200 by Victorian Police.

In a press conference today, Mr Andrews said these measures were "essentially stage four".

"I understand this will a big step for some. But by covering your face, you're protecting your community, and protecting those extra freedoms your community enjoys," Mr Andrews said.

READ MORE: Coronavirus denier facing multiple charges for breaching health order

"By covering your face, you're keeping local businesses open, and keeping local people in work.

"There are, unfortunately, other changes we need to make."

Exemptions from wearing a face mask include medical reasons and bouts of strenuous exercise.

Huge swathes of Victoria banned from having visitors

Additionally, from 11.59pm today, residents in a number of local government areas will be banned from visiting people or having guests at home.

These include: Colac-Otway, Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Moorabool, Golden Plains, and the Borough of Queenscliffe.

"The data is telling us that outside work, this is the single greatest cause of transmission in these communities," said Mr Andrews.

"People are visiting friends and family – and taking the virus home with them.

"It makes sense. These are the kind of places we let our guard down. We relax, we get comfortable and we forget all the rules about keeping safe."

DEADLIEST DAY ON RECORD

Victoria has recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic so far, recording 723 new cases overnight and 13 additional deaths.

The state has now recorded a total of 9,998 cases of COVID-19 and the death toll has risen to 105.

Approximately 10 of the new deaths are related to the evolving aged care crisis currently gripping the states 770 facilities.

"We send our condolences, our best wishes, our thoughts and prayers to those families. This will be incredibly challenging," said Premier Daniel Andrews.

Lockdown could be extended

Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to be drawn on whether the Victorian government will extend Stage Three lockdowns for Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire beyond the current six-week period.

"We will make announcements at the appropriate time when we have as much data as we possibly can," Mr Andrews said.

"Yesterday I was asked is this a turning point and I said one day's data isn't a trend – and that has been borne out today. So I cannot tell you where we will be in another three weeks."

The premier reiterated that if people continued to ignore restrictions and go out in public while unwell, coronavirus numbers would continue to grow and restrictions would have to be extended.

You can  get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

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