Masks are mandatory in patient-facing and public areas of the health service. This includes clinical areas, waiting rooms, cafes, and shared corridors. In other words, if you are in an area where the general public or our patients are, then you must be wearing a mask.
Masks are not required in non-patient-facing or non-public areas, such as offices or meeting rooms where you can physically distance.
Visitors are still required to wear a face mask while at any Monash Health sites.
Refer to the Personal Protective Equipment Compulsory standards to determine the type of mask you should be wearing in different scenarios.
Wearing a face mask helps keep you and others safe. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is spread from close contact with a person with the virus. Masks are helpful to stop droplets spreading when someone speaks, laughs, coughs, or sneezes, including someone who has coronavirus (COVID-19) and is contagious, but feels well.
Masks are mandatory in patient-facing and public areas of the health service. This includes clinical areas, waiting rooms, cafes, and shared corridors. In other words, if you are in an area where the general public or our patients are, then you must be wearing a mask.
Masks are not required in non-patient-facing or non-public areas, such as offices or meeting rooms where you can physically distance.
If you have concerns about wearing a mask, please speak to your manager.
People who have a medical condition, including problems with their breathing, do not have to wear masks.
If you are unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition you will need to provide evidence from your doctor to this effect. You will then need to work with your manager to determine the most appropriate action for you.
Yes, people with a disability must wear a mask unless it is impractical or unsafe to do so for medical, communication or other individual risk factors.
If you are unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition you will need to provide evidence from your doctor to this effect. You will then need to work with your manager to determine the most appropriate action for you.
Ear Saver Straps are available to prevent pressure or discomfort caused by wearing a mask.
Ear Saver Straps are available through iProc (code 402405) and located in clinical areas. Ask for a Nurse or Midwife in charge to provide this.
The Ear Saver Strap keeps your mask away from your ears and firm on your face. It also allows a better fit if the mask and strings are too wide for your face.
Attaching the straps/ties of your mask to the ear saver keeps your ears comfortable by keeping the mask straps resting on the back of your head instead of behind your ears.
Yes, with the use of Clinell wipes on application and on removal, but only for a single shift/day.
Clinell wipes on each application and on removal. Please note that ear savers should only be used for single-day use.
Ear Saver Straps must be disposed of at the end of the shift/day as they are single-day use only.
Once worn, the mask is considered contaminated, and there is an increased risk of transmission if reused.
Only a short break should be required.
You must wear a Monash Health provided surgical mask while at work.
No, masks are only required in public/patient-facing areas.
In a zip-lock, plastic bag is the best option, kept in your bag or locker. Use separate bags for your clean and used masks.
When ready to change your disposable mask, place these into normal waste bins.
We recommend you carry a zip-lock plastic bag to secure your used disposable mask in case a bin is not immediately available.
Used disposable masks must not be dropped on the ground or left on any other surface as this poses an infection risk.
Make sure the mask is fitted and pinched on your nose if possible. Put your glasses on after the face mask. Wash your glasses with detergent and water to create a film to prevent fogging. Or put a folded tissue across the bridge of your nose, then put your face mask on and your glasses on top.
You can remove your mask if you are communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
You should maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres and if you need to cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue or your elbow.
Yes. You can take your mask off when eating or drinking. You should maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres and practise good hygiene. Replace your mask as soon as possible after eating and drinking.
Eating and drinking should not be used as an excuse not to wear a mask.