When do I have to wear a mask?

From 12.01am on Monday, August 23, it is mandatory for people over the age of 12 in Greater Sydney to wear a mask when they go outside. The fine for not wearing a mask is $500 for over 18s and $40-$80 for younger people.

As before, people also need to wear a mask when going inside shops, visit vulnerable relatives in other households, when in a taxi or ride-share and in their workplaces.

Basically, you don’t have to wear a mask when you’re in your own home or visiting your designated ‘single bubble’ person.

RELATED: NSW Police increase fine for mask noncompliance

Do I need to wear a face mask while exercising?

In both Greater Sydney and Victoria, if you are doing strenuous exercise then you don’t need to wear a mask but you must carry a mask with you and put it on when you’ve stopped exercising. Victoria states the exercise must leave you “out of breath or puffing”.

On Sunday, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said walking constituted exercise but said to use common sense if footpaths are busy.

“In terms of exercising, people do not have to wear a mask,” he said during the daily Covid briefing.

“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,” he added.

RELATED: New lockdown rules begin for NSW

Who is exempt from wearing a face mask?

You are not required to wear a mask if you have a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a mask unsuitable. For example, if you have a skin condition, an intellectual disability, autism or trauma, you are not required to wear a mask.

Masks should not be worn by:

– Toddlers under two years of age and babies, as they are a choking and suffocation risk.

– Children 12 years and under, as they do not need to wear a mask and may not be able to handle it safely.

– Anyone who has trouble breathing wearing a mask.

– Anyone who is unable to remove the mask themselves without assistance.

– People assisting people who are deaf or hard of hearing (and their contacts), as for some people with hearing disabilities seeing the mouth is essential for communication.

– Some people in the community may also have issues with wearing masks due to other health conditions.

NSW Health advises people to be respectful to others as reasons for not wearing a mask are not always obvious.

In NSW, anyone who is exempt from wearing a mask for medical reasons must carry their medical exemption certificate from their doctor or NDIS provider or statutory declaration along with proof of their name and address.

In Victoria, you do not need a medical certificate stating that you have a lawful reason for not wearing a face mask. If you have a lawful reason for not wearing a face mask, you do not need to apply for an exemption or permit.

If you are stopped by police in a setting where face masks are mandatory, they will ask you to confirm the lawful reason you are not wearing a face mask.

How do I get a face mask exemption?

Anyone who believes they qualify for a mask exemption can get a letter or certificate of exemption from their doctor or NDIS provider.

However, unfortunately some anti-mask groups are exploiting the relative ambiguity around who is exempt from wearing masks.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners NSW Chair Dr Charlotte Hespe stressed that while GPs should engage in discussions with patients who request a mask exemption and work with that patient to explain the importance of masks, they were still able to exercise their own judgment.

“If a GP reasonably determines the patient can wear a mask, or suspects a patient is trying to obtain a medical certificate by providing false information or not being genuine, they are within their rights to say no,” she told The Medical Republic (TMR).

Does my doctor have to give me an exemption?

Northern NSW Medical practitioner Dr Zac Turner told news.com.au that requests for exemption certificates for face masks has increased exponentially in the past week.

“I’ve seen two already this morning. Whereas I used to see one a day, now it’s more like two or three a day,” said Dr Zac.

Many of the patients he’s been seeing are people who want exemptions from wearing masks at work or for team sports.

“Certainly there are some really good reasons that some people have for not wearing a mask,” said Dr. Zac.

He cited certain types of asthma or mental health issues as good reasons, but said you should have a good relationship with your GP who knows your history before expecting an exemption.

“I think people think it can be waived away but they don’t really understand how effective masks really are stopping the spread of Covid,” said Dr Zac.

He added that he would expect anyone with an exemption to strictly adhere to the rules and avoid any kind of public gathering.

Australian Medical Association NSW President Dr Danielle McMullen, a practising GP, said that because of the statutory declaration option, doctors should not feel pressured to issue mask exemptions.

“Our advice to GPs is that they shouldn’t feel compelled to write a certificate or an exemption where they don’t think it’s appropriate,” Dr McMullen told TMR.

Can retailers refuse entry to people not wearing a mask?

Private businesses should ensure they have adequate signage at the door to say wearing a mask is a legal requirement and they can refuse entry to people who aren’t wearing a mask.

If someone is exempt from wearing a mask they need to show proof of this along with their ID. If they don’t have proof of exemption or a mask then a business owner doesn’t have to let them in.

Do face masks work?

Face masks combined with other preventive measures, such as getting vaccinated, frequent handwashing and physical distancing, can help slow the spread of the virus.

Masks are one of the frontline defences against Covid-19 and are key to stopping spread. If everyone who can wear a mask plays their part, it will help stop the spread of Covid-19 in our community.

Riah Matthews is the commissioning editor for news.com.au