The major Covid rule that will be lifted from TONIGHT
A major Covid-19 rule will be scrapped in most Australian states and territories as of midnight.
On Tuesday, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) reviewed the Covid situation across the country and found it was no long "proportionate" to enforce face masks in airport terminals.
"The AHPPC proposes that mask-wearing in airport terminals no longer be mandated from as early as midnight 17 June 2022," a statement from Tuesday said.
However, passengers will still be required to wear masks on planes to help limit the spread of Covid-19.
From midnight on June 17, the mandate will lift in airports in NSW, the ACT and Queensland.
In all three jurisdictions, face masks must still be worn on flights and at all public transport infrastructure and commercial passenger vehicles at airports.
"All people over the age of 12 must wear a mask while on an aircraft flying above NSW, and in cruise terminals," NSW Health said.
Though the mask rule will ease, the ACT Government said the Canberra community is still "strongly encouraged" to wear a face mask in public indoor settings "including the Canberra Airport terminal, where it could be difficult to maintain physical distancing".
From 12.01am on Saturday, June 18, South Australians will be able to ditch the face masks while at the terminal at Adelaide Airport.
"This change to South Australia’s Public Health Act is nationally consistent with other states and territories," SA Health said.
"Masks are still required on flights and on public transport to and from Adelaide Airport, including taxis and rideshare."
The Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia will also scrap the mandate at airport terminals at 12.01 am on Saturday.
"With Covid-19 and flu in our community, you’re still encouraged to wear your mask at the airport and other public spaces, especially if physical distancing is not possible," WA Health said.
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Victoria has not yet scrapped the mask rule, with the state government still requiring them at the airport.
Both Melbourne Airport and Avalon Airport state masks are still mandatory online.
AHPPC said the committee will continue to review mask wearing on flights and will provide further advice on this in the future.
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