Mask Relaxation Welcomed

Media Release

04 March 2022

CEO of the Tasmanian Small Business Council, Robert Mallett, today congratulated the Premier on the relaxation of mask wearing throughout Tasmania.

‘One of the most obvious signs that we are a community under siege is the consistent and mandatory wearing of masks.

‘The Premier’s announcement today that “from 12:01am tomorrow, masks will no longer be required for retail settings, except for staff, to ensure business continuity. This means from tomorrow, customers at places like supermarkets, department stores or other shops in town, will no longer be required to wear a mask”.

‘That customers can now freely enter most public premises without one will bring a greater sense of normality and should increase customer visitations.

‘Anecdotally, the wearing of a mask has been an imposition and where a shopping event can be postponed because of the on/off/on/off mask requirements, customers have been choosing to save the individual shopping event until later.

‘Probably the most puzzling thing about today’s announcement is why are we splitting the relaxation over 2 weeks?

‘The piecemeal approach to the relaxation will confuse many. What real, measurable and positive effect of wearing a mask at this week’s Salamanca Market will there be as opposed to next week’s relaxation tranche 2?

‘We look forward to the results of the benefits achieved by the multi staged approach being published by the Dept of Health in due course.

ROBERT MALLETT
CEO
TASMANIAN SMALL BUSINESS COUNCIL
0408 144 884