Mask mandates are set to be scrapped in NSW hospitals as soon as next week as the government considers ending one of the last Covid rules remaining in the state.

Those visiting ‘high-risk settings’ such as hospitals and aged-care facilities in the state must wear face masks to stop the spread of disease.

But the Minns government is looking to end that final restriction upon the release of a health report next week.

Health bureaucrats are reviewing face mask settings for that report, according to The Daily Telegraph

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park is hopeful that mask restrictions will be eased in most hospital settings.

The NSW government is looking at scrapping mask mandates in hospitals as soon as next week following the release of a report into face mask settings (pictured, NSW Premier Chris Minns)

The NSW government is looking at scrapping mask mandates in hospitals as soon as next week following the release of a report into face mask settings (pictured, NSW Premier Chris Minns)

‘I want to see masks rolled back in our hospitals,’ he told the publication. 

‘We’ve got to learn to live with Covid-19 and return to normal.’

While mask mandates may be scrapped in most settings, some ‘higher-risk areas’ within hospitals and health facilities could still require people to wear a face mask.

Mr Park acknowledged that there would be ‘some circumstances where masks will be required’.

Infectious diseases expert Professor Peter Collignon explained that a mask mandate made little difference when it came to transmission.

‘If you’re wearing it all the time the extra benefit is marginal and there are a lot of downsides,’ he said. 

The last time the NSW government scrapped mask restrictions was for public transport last year.

Those visiting 'high-risk settings' such as hospitals and aged-care facilities in the state are required to wear face masks to stop the spread of disease (stock image)

Those visiting ‘high-risk settings’ such as hospitals and aged-care facilities in the state are required to wear face masks to stop the spread of disease (stock image)

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park (pictured) is hopeful that mask restrictions will be eased in most hospital settings

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park (pictured) is hopeful that mask restrictions will be eased in most hospital settings

In other changes to Covid regulations, doctors will no longer be required to report Covid cases to the NSW Health Secretary from next Friday.

Public health orders for those who contract Covid or come into contact with someone who has the virus will also end following changes to the Public Health Act that come into effect from September 1. 

The changes to the act will mean that Covid is treated like any other disease. 

It comes as the Minns government also looks at ending vaccine and mask mandates for cruise ships in NSW.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, made up of federal and state chief health officers, is expected to make a decision in the coming days that would clear the way for NSW to formally scrap the rules. 

‘Frankly, a lot of those rules were seemingly arcane and not applied to any other part of life or business in Sydney,’ Mr Minns said on Wednesday.

‘Given these restrictions don’t apply to airports and other parts of the transport economy, they shouldn’t apply to cruise ships either.’

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