Masks update on behalf of the MNHS COVID-19 Task Force

As you will already know, people living in metropolitan Melbourne, and the Mitchell Shire, will be required to start wearing face masks when out of the home from tonight (22 July 2020) at 11.59pm.

The University has updated its advice for the use of face masks for staff working on-campus.

The default position is that a mask must be worn while on any campus, including in our labs and office spaces.

The DHHS has communicated some limited exemptions to wearing masks, e.g., for medical reasons. There is also the limited option to work in an individual office where masks are not necessary only if you are alone - however if someone enters your office you will both need to have masks on.  

Staff should bring their own face masks to work, as they will need to wear a mask to comply with the Victorian Government requirements, in order to travel to and from campus.

The University will supply masks to staff and students for any on-campus activities where a risk assessment has been conducted and deemed that a surgical, or other grade, mask is required. At all other times (unless exempt) staff are to please wear their own face covering.  Mask supply is being upgraded to support this. 

For activities based in clinical areas, please continue to follow Monash Health policies and processes.

Masks in PC2 Labs:

The main consideration from the Monash Research Office (MRO) perspective with regards to the wearing of masks in PC2 labs is to ensure that behavioural practices align with that required by the Gene Technology Regulations. In particular, the MRO considers that there is a risk of touching/adjusting face masks with gloved hands that may be contaminated with GMOs, and as such, the risk of GMOs being transferred out of the lab (e.g. on a face mask) must be minimised.

There are obviously other factors to consider, including issues and concerns related to the frequent mask changing that would be required if people had to change masks each time they went in/out of the labs. And of course we also understand that not all personnel working in PC2 labs actually work with GMOs, but we do consider it important that the messaging and advice across all facilities is consistent.

After considering all factors, advice from the MRO with regards to face masks in PC2 labs is:

• Personnel may wear disposable or fabric face masks in PC2 labs.
• Face masks do not need to be removed or changed when moving between the lab and office spaces unless the mask has been touched by a gloved hand or is otherwise contaminated.
• For fabric masks, if the mask is touched by a gloved hand or is otherwise contaminated, the mask must be removed immediately and either decontaminated before being taken out of the lab, or placed in a zip-lock bag and taken home for washing.
• For disposable masks, if the mask is touched by a gloved hand or is otherwise contaminated, the mask must be removed immediately and disposed of as biohazard waste.

This advice is specific to the mask-wearing requirements imposed by the Victorian Government, and is not applicable when a risk-assessment has determined that a mask is required to be worn as part of PPE. In this case, these masks should be treated as per other PPE (e.g. gloves) and be removed and disposed of as biohazard waste prior to exiting the facility.