Questions about face masks

When do I have to wear a face mask?

Face masks are a useful measure to help control sustained community transmission. At this time, we do not have sustained community transmission in Queensland.

There are some environments however, that present a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission whether there is community transmission or not. It is necessary to wear masks in these high-risk environments to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in Queensland.

Identified high risk environments include airports, domestic flights and vehicles transporting people to and from quarantine hotels.

Who doesn’t have to wear a face mask?

#exceptions

There are some exceptions to wearing a face mask in airports in Queensland, on domestic flights and in vehicles transporting people to and from quarantine hotels.

These exceptions include:

• children under 12
• a person eating, drinking or taking medicine
• where visibility of the mouth is essential – for example, a person communicating to someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, a teacher or live broadcasting
• a person with a particular medical condition or disability that may be made worse by wearing a mask – for example, a person who has breathing difficulties, a serious skin condition on their face, a mental health condition or psychological impacts from experienced trauma
• a person undergoing medical treatment – for example, a person receiving first aid
• if a person is asked to remove a face mask for identity
• if wearing a mask creates a risk to a person’s health and safety
• for emergencies or if required by law – for example, if a customs officer requires a person to remove their mask for a cavity search
• in any circumstances where it is not safe to wear a face mask.

If you remove your face mask for any reason, you must put it back on as soon as practicable.

Do I have to provide a medical certificate to prove I can't wear a mask due to my medical condition?

You do not need a medical certificate to prove you have a lawful reason for not wearing a face mask.

If a service provider, school or employer asks for a medical certificate to confirm you have a lawful medical reason for not wearing a mask before entering their premises, this may amount to unlawful discrimination.

Whether it is lawful will depend on whether asking you to provide the medical certificate is reasonably necessary to protect the health and safety of other people, such as other customers or employees.

Find out more information about COVID-19 and human rights.

In what situations can air crew or airport workers remove their mask?

As well as the exceptions listed above, air crew or airport workers who are not interacting directly with passengers do not need to wear a face mask while on an aircraft. This includes if the aircraft has no passengers or if they are in secluded areas – for example, a pilot in the cockpit.

Do I have to wear a mask if I’m driving a vehicle with no passengers?

Yes. You must wear a mask in all indoor and outdoor areas of Queensland airports, even if you are alone in a vehicle.

Do people who work for businesses within the perimeter of an airport or aerodrome have to wear a mask?

Yes. Anyone who works for businesses that are located within the perimeter of an aerodrome such as transport operators, offices and maintenance facilities must comply with the face mask requirements under the Direction.

What type of mask can I wear? Will it be provided to me?

You must obtain your own face mask. The best face mask is a single-use surgical mask – you can purchase these at pharmacies. If you are unable to get a surgical mask, any cloth mask with at least 3 layers is permitted.

Find out how to use, wear and dispose of a face mask.

How can I wear a face mask if I have a hearing aid or wear garments that cover my head or face?

If you wear a hearing aid we recommend considering wearing a mask that ties around your head, rather than over the ears to ensure the ties do not get tangled in your hearing aid.

There are a range of face masks available that can be worn with traditional and religious garments. These include face masks that are tied around the head, rather than looped over the ears. If you wear a face covering, like a veil or scarf, you should wear your face mask beneath this covering your nose and mouth.

Find out how to use, wear and dispose of a face mask.

How do I stop my face mask fogging up my glasses?

Try one of these tips to help prevent your face mask fogging your glasses:

• make sure your face mask is fitted and pinched on your nose if possible
• put your glasses on after your mask
• wash your glasses with detergent and water to create a film to prevent fogging
• use micropore tape (available at pharmacies) to tape the mask along the bridge of your nose and cheeks, then put your glasses on top
• put a folded tissue across the bridge of your nose, then put your mask on with your glasses on top.

Find out how to use, wear and dispose of a face mask.

How do I wear a mask correctly if I have a big beard?

Ensure the mask covers your nose and mouth, regardless of any facial hair. For non-medical face masks, you do not have to achieve a seal with the mask against the skin of your face.

There are different shapes and sizes of fabric non-medical masks available, some of which may be a more comfortable option if you have facial hair.

Who are air crew and airport workers?

Air crew means a person on a commercial domestic flight landing or taking off in Queensland who is:

• a pilot or crew member providing essential safety or maintenance functions or cabin crew member actively servicing a commercial domestic flight
• an off-shift pilot or crew member providing essential safety or maintenance functions or cabin crew member travelling to reposition to commence duty in Queensland or another State or Territory
• an aeromedical services crew member providing patient transport or emergency medical care to a patient
• an off-shift aeromedical services crew member who is travelling as a passenger on an aircraft to reposition to commence duty in Queensland or another State of Territory.

Airport worker means a person at a Queensland airport who is:

• an engineer or other technical staff
• a cleaner
• a baggage handler
• a person involved in the delivery or removal of food, goods or other things in connection with an aircraft
• an employee of an airline other than air crew
• a person providing law enforcement or border security services.

Can I remove my face mask to smoke or use an e-cigarette?

Yes, subject to existing restrictions on smoking in public places in Queensland.

While there isn’t enough evidence to be certain that people who smoke are more likely to be infected by COVID-19, the act of smoking means that fingers are in contact with your lips which increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth.

Find out more about smoking and COVID-19.