BY visiting nsw.gov.au, you can find relevant and up to date information regarding COVID-19 regulations.

When mask wearing outdoors became mandatory in Regional NSW there was some initial lack of clarity around the rules.

Some community members were stopped whilst out walking for exercise by police.

On these occasions police reportedly stated that masks need to be worn for outdoor walking.

Local Gumbaynggirr/Dunghetti woman Ms June Rimer is one local who experienced this on her daily morning walk.

“I was heading back from my daily early morning walk when the police pulled over, and demanded to know where my mask was.

“I showed them my mask to let them know that I was carrying it with me, as is mandated.

“The police were very aggressive in their nature, and I had a feeling that the situation could escalate.

“I was clearly exercising, and had my exercise clothes on.”

News Of The Area has investigated the rules around mask wearing and exercising.

The NSW directive is very clear.

In Regional NSW, the strenuous exercise rule that exists in the 12 LGAs of concern does not apply.

For Valley residents, physical exercise is a reason to remove a mask.

In the daily press conference delivered on Sunday 22 August 2021, NSW Policy Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said, in response to being asked about walking, “In terms of exercising, people do not have to wear a mask.

“Where you are exercising in a place where there are crowds of people or where you think you will end up in a situation where people will be close by, it is just common sense that you would put that mask on.”

News Of The Area spoke to Detective Chief Inspector Darren Jameson, following Ms Riemer’s experience, regarding walking for physical exercise and mask wearing.

Jameson, in consultation with NSW Police Operational Legal, advised News Of The Area that, “A face covering, i.e. a mask, is not required if someone is engaging in physical exercise.

“Physical exercise is an activity that develops or maintains physical fitness and overall health.

“The key there is physical fitness and overall health.

“So if you are legitimately out there performing some sort of physical exercise then you have nothing to worry about.

“You don’t have to wear a mask.

“A casual stroll, which is a form of low level exercise, means that a mask must be worn.”

Jameson went on to tell News Of The Area, “It is not just about issuing tickets.

“It is about identifying people who are not complying with the orders.

“It is about looking after us so that we stay safe.

“If you are doing the right thing you have nothing to fear.”

In Regional NSW there are several reasons that a mask can be removed, these items can be found under ‘Exemptions’ in ‘Face Mask Rules’ in the Regional and Rural NSW section.

This can be found at nsw.gov.au.

Lawful reasons for not wearing a mask are also listed, for example physical or intellectual disabilities.

The NSW Government website states, “Please be respectful to people who are not wearing a mask as the reasons for not wearing a mask are not always visible or obvious.”

 

By Rachel MCGREGOR-ALLEN