AMA (NSW) President calls for mandatory face masks on public transport

AMA (NSW) President, Dr Danielle McMullen, is calling on the State Government to make it mandatory for people to wear face masks while on public transport.

“We need to be doing more to ensure that COVID-19 is not transmitted when people are riding public transport like trains and buses.

“They are enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces, where it can be difficult to remain more than 1.5 metres apart from one another.

“For these reasons, it should be mandatory for people to wear masks,” AMA (NSW) President, Dr Danielle McMullen, said.

 “We know there has been spread on buses in Sydney and, while one of the people who was infectious was wearing a mask, that doesn’t mean they aren’t useful.

“They are best at containing the spread of COVID-19 when people with the illness are wearing them.

“Because we have to assume everyone is infected, including ourselves, we should all be wearing masks on public transport.

“Wearing a mask is not a 100 per cent sure thing but until we have a viable vaccine that’s widely available, along with hand hygiene, social distancing, the COVID-safe app, and widespread testing, they are a vital part of the best defence we have.

“Until they are made mandatory, make sure you’re treating the strong advice from the Government that you should be wearing them indoors and on public transport with due gravity.

“Wear a mask,” Dr McMullen said.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones 0419 402 955