Australians living in the Melbourne and Mitchell Shire metro areas are required to wear face masks starting on Wednesday or be fined $200.

The face mask requirement was issued as Australia sees a rise in coronavirus cases with Victoria state, reporting 484 new cases of the coronavirus ina 24-hour period – more than any other state in Australia, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said in a news briefing on Tuesday. Melbourne is the capital.

Andrews said the need for a face mask mandate was due to the increase in infections in the country and the lack of isolation by residents who have tested positive for the virus.

“That means people have felt unwell and just gone about their business,” he said

“They have gone out shopping. They have gone to work. They have been at the height of their infectivity, and they have just continued on as usual.”

Andrews warned that if self-isolation is not followed after COVID-19 testing, the number of coronavirus cases would continue to grow in the country. “And a six-week shutdown will not be for six weeks. It will run for much longer than that,” he added.

Australia reported 501 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, its highest number since the coronavirus took hold in March. There were also two more deaths, bringing the total to 128, Andrews said during his press briefing.

The country has reported over 12,800 confirmed cases of the coronavirus as of Wednesday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Mask-wearing is not common in Australia and has not been part of the country's COVID-19 response until recently
Mask-wearing is not common in Australia and has not been part of the country's COVID-19 response until recently AFP / William WEST
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