
Face masks should no longer be mandatory in coronavirus-free areas, says Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur.
Ms McArthur, who is not a doctor, said masks were of "questionable benefit" to people.
"Masks have a place where transmission is possible with at-risk people - those in aged care, with compromised immune systems, other specific health concerns and of course, in health facilities, themselves if medical experts deem them essential," Mrs McArthur said.
"But in almost all other circumstances, masks should be optional."
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Mrs McArthur said it was "ridiculous" people in COVID-free regional Victoria were walking along country roads on their own or in parks and gardens wearing masks.
"This isn't stopping the spread of the virus - but it might be stopping some people from getting out for vital exercise.
"People out walking tell me they feel ill after a short time, including episodes of nausea and shortness of breath.
"Other people who wear prescription glasses - especially older people at risk of falls - are saying their glasses fog up and they literally can't see where they are going.
"These people are in more danger of falling over and breaking a leg than they are of catching or transmitting the virus."
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She said no other state had made it mandatory to wear masks.
"The state where the most deaths and contagion have resulted is Victoria - where masks are mandatory and fines imposed," Mrs McArthur said.
However, Premier Daniel Andrews ruled out making masks optional in the short-term. "Masks are under review all the time, everything is under review all the time," Mr Andrews said.
He said masks would be mandatory as long as they served a purpose.
"I'll be a hold out on this because they are low-cost and of very substantial benefit and if it allows us to have greater forms of freedom I think it's worth it," Mr Andrews said. "They will be more challenging when you get into summer.
"If you had free movement between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria for example, that could be a reason why you would keep masks, they might be judged as a useful thing to do because you have people from a part of the state with higher virus mingling with places with lower virus.
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"Regional Victoria is in a different place based on case numbers so you've got to be careful with nuance, you need a set of rules that is easily enforced and understood."
On Wednesday he conceded masks were not comfortable to wear but said the alternative was much worse.
"If you are like you or I who wear glasses, it is challenging. Really? I mean ... like ... compared to everyone being locked in their homes and people needing machines to breathe?" Mr Andrews said.
"I reckon I can deal with foggy glasses. I reckon you can too."
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