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Hi Jewel,
Perhaps this statement will assist to answer:
Health services and other settings where the risk of COVID-19 transmission and impact is particularly significant (i.e. RACF) are recommended to take actions based on local risk assessment. Taken from: Increase in COVID-19 activity – https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/increase-covid-19-activity
Although surgical masks are recommended for use in Victoria as a safety measure against RTI transmission, the risk assessment and decision are currently up to the provider or service to make.
Infection Prevention and Control Expert Group – Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers in the context of COVID-19: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19-infection-prevention-control-guidelines/resources – provides a good risk assessment process to assist with this.
The following links provide recommendations around PPE and masks (for Victoria) to assist with decision making:
Personal protective equipment (PPE) –
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19-infection-prevention-control-guidelines/personal-protective-equipment-ppe – information on mask use
COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines References – info on masks and respirator standards for decision making –
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19-infection-prevention-control-guidelines
Better Health Channel – Face masks and COVID-19 –
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/covid-19/face-masks-covid-19
The Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Guide addresses the use of masks and risk assessment – https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/aged-care-infection-prevention-and-control-guide as does the National IPC Guideline.
