Anti-mask and vaccine protests have broken out in Sydney on day one of new mandatory face covering rules.
Dozens of protesters swarmed a shopping centre in Bondi Junction, in the city’s east, on Sunday without wearing masks – holding signs and chanting ‘I would rather be a human than a slave’.
The anti-maskers mingled with other shoppers, who were wearing masks, and pushed wild claims such as ‘masks increase your risk of infection’.
Anti-mask protesters walk down the streets of Bondi Junction, in Sydney’s east, on day one of masks being made mandatory in Greater Sydney
Another sign read: ‘I fully support your right to hide in your house and wear a face diaper until you can take an untested vax… as long as you fully support my right to do none of those things’.
While shopping, Sydney PR queen Roxy Jacenko filmed the group parading their views and slammed them on social media.
She captioned the short Instagram clip: ‘Sorry. But people have died. Put a f***ing mask on. This does not sit well with me. Disgraceful.’
Masks are now compulsory across Greater Sydney in certain indoor settings including shopping centres, cinemas and on public transport.
The protesters marched through the shopping centre and also took their message to surrounding streets, where mask-clad shoppers were queuing to enter stores.
Masks were made mandatory from 11:59pm on Saturday in a bid to limit the community spread of Covid-19 in the wake of the Northern Beaches outbreak without the government having to impose restrictions limiting business activity.
The protesters sang chants including ‘I’d rather be a human than a slave’ as they took their anti-mask message to the streets
Protesters also took to the nearby Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre, where they pushed their anti-mask message in front of masked shoppers
NSW Acting Premier John Barilaro on Sunday reiterated the importance of wearing a mask in stopping the spread of Covid-19.
‘We’re asking people to do the right thing and use common sense,’ he said.
‘Where practical, where possible, please wear a mask and you’re going to help us deal with the issue in relation to the transmission of Covid, especially on public transport.’
Health minister Brad Hazzard urged residents to wear a mask to keep themselves and the community safe.
‘Do it for yourself, do it for your family, do it for your community – that’s the main reason because in wearing a mask you will be keeping yourself, but also your locals, your families, your community, and, of course, possibly eventually the whole of New South Wales safe,’ Mr Hazzard said.
As the protesters marched through the streets, the passed by shoppers and retail staff who were all wearing masks
Masks are now mandatory in indoor settings in Greater Sydney, including for hospitality workers (pictured)
Greater Sydney residents have been told wearing a mask will help slow the rate of community transmission while also limiting the economic impact. Pictured, residents in Sydney mask-up over the weekend
He said most people were already doing the right thing and masking up.
‘Certainly in any local shopping centre, I would say about 98 per cent of people are already wearing masks,’ Mr Hazzard said.
Residents across Greater Sydney, which includes Wollongong, Central Coast and Blue Mountains, are required to cover up.
Children aged under 12 years are not required to wear a mask, though it is strongly encouraged.
It is compulsory to wear a mask in some indoor places including shopping centres and cinemas, and on public transport – which includes trains and buses.
Residents visiting an entertainment venue, hair and beauty salons, gaming areas or places of worship will also have to follow the rules.
Hospitality staff also have to wear a mask while serving customers.
Although the rule has come into effect, enforcement will not begin until Monday.
Anyone caught not wearing a mask within these indoor settings risks copping a $200 fine.
‘We want people in NSW to be able to go about their business as much as possible but we need to reduce the risks in certain settings where we know there are challenges,’ Ms Berejiklian said Saturday.
‘We have already strongly wanted people to wear a mask but we do not want to restrict peoples ability to go about their business.
‘We want to increase economic activity and mask wearing in these settings will ensure we have the confidence to do that.’
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