Neil Mitchell reacts to Victorian government rejecting mask mandate request from the CHO

The Victorian government has rejected advice from the Chief Health Officer to mandate masks in a handful of settings, as COVID again rips through the community.

Neil Mitchell said it was a significant change in policy from the state government.

“The Victorian government has said all along ‘we accept the health advice’ – the Premier has said that,” Neil Mitchell said in response to the news.

New health minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the decision not to mandate masks came after consulting with business and industry leaders.

Mask wearing indoors and crowded settings is “strongly” recommended, but not mandatory (except on public transport and in ride-share and taxi vehicles).

“They’re not following the health advice they say they always follow,” Neil Mitchell said.

“It’s a change – you can say it is right, or wrong – but it is a change.”

Press PLAY below to hear Neil Mitchell’s reaction