Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Julia Kanapathippillai

Mask wearing encouraged at Parliament House

Parliament will resume on August 24. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

Everybody at Parliament House will be encouraged to wear a mask when Parliament resumes on August 24.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Tony Smith and Senate President Scott Ryan released a joint statement on Friday outlining their decision.

"While recognising that the wearing of masks is not mandatory in the ACT, at the specific request of the acting chief medical officer and out of an abundance of caution, in the public common areas of Australian Parliament House everyone is recommended to wear a mask at all times," the statement said.

"As an additional precaution the wearing of masks is encouraged in the presence of others, especially where physical distancing is not possible, and by those at increased risk of COVID-19."

"This measure is in addition to the range of control measures to manage the risk of COVID-19 exposure to senators, members and building occupants that have already been put in place."

The statement outlines the proper use and disposal of face masks, and tells visitors to dispose of masks in designated bins.

This advice is in addition to a different joint statement by the Speaker and Senate President released on August 17.

That statement urged parliamentarians to avoid socialising in groups and to limit visiting hospitality and retail centres in the ACT.

Parliament House will be closed to the public from August 24 to September 3.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.