Public health orders about mandatory face masks have been made last night: all workers, patients, and visitors to hospitals (public and private) and residential aged care facilities are required to wear face masks.

As such we believe all paramedics will be required to wear at least a surgical mask when inside these facilities, including within the ramping/offload/handover areas. We’re aware that AT have just issued internal advice about this.

Given that sometimes stays in the ramping environment are protracted, and those workspaces are often crowded and with poor airflow, our executive advises you to consider using a P2/N95 mask - your “fit-tested” mask - if you deem it necessary instead of a surgical or alternate mask.

The current direction expires on 13 August, but it’s certainly possible this will be extended.

If you’d like to talk about this, please contact HACSUassist at assist@hacsu.org.au or 1300 880 032.