Victoria defies health advice for mask mandate as new Covid wave worsens nationwide

Elective surgeries are again at risk of being delayed with predictions hospitalisations may exceed past Covid waves

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The Victorian government has ignored health advice calling for mask mandates in schools, early childhood and retail settings amid a warning that hospitalisations during the current wave of Covid and flu infections may exceed earlier peaks.

As Covid reinfection rates rise nationwide, Victoria on Tuesday joined Queensland in encouraging residents to don masks without requiring them to do so.

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