BY EMILY WILLIAMS
The wearing of masks is no longer mandatory on public transport, taxis, and rideshare cars across the Hunter and New South Wales from Wednesday.
The State Government is moving closer toward a living with COVID-19 model, but the move has raised concerns for immunocompromised people and those living with disabilities in the Hunter.
Andrew Vodic, Executive Director of Community Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH) says the end of the mandate is disheartening.
"Undoubtedly this adds another layer of vulnerability for people with disability, and I think it almost reflects an acceptance of the general community that we're okay with COVID and we will live with COVID," he said.
"But for people who are immunocompromised, and for people with disabilities, it just reinforces that level of vulnerability and that you're really in this on your own."
In NSW, masks are now only required in the high-risk settings of hospitals and aged care facilities.
The State Government is instead urging people to stay home if unwell and get tested for COVID-19, should you present any symptoms.
Mr Vodic is urging everyone to continue wearing masks, despite the official mandate ending.
"I know that masks are an inconvenience and people don't like wearing them, but the life that you save might not be your own," he said.
"The masks are there for a reason, and they are one of the things that have, as a nation, kept us much safer than other parts of the world during the worst part of the pandemic."
"The pandemic is not over, it's just that we've just stopped reporting it."
