Face mask rules | NSW Government

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When to wear a face mask

There are rules for wearing a fitted face covering (face mask)

You do not need to wear a face mask when you are

  • in your home on your own
  • in your home with other people you live with, except if someone in your household is self-isolating
  • travelling in a vehicle (car) by yourself or with other people you live with.

Public transport

You must wear a face mask in NSW when

  • using public transport, hire vehicles, taxis and rideshare services
  • waiting for public transport at a bus or light rail stop, train station or ferry wharf.

Residential buildings: Greater Sydney

From Tuesday 13 July 2021, in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour, residents, staff and visitors must wear a fitted face mask in indoors area of common property in residential buildings.

You do not need to wear a mask inside your own apartment.

Find out more about the Greater Sydney rules for wearing a face mask in a residential building.

Non-residential indoor areas

You must wear a fitted face mask when you are in an indoor area of a non-residential premises in NSW.

Examples of the areas where a face mask must be worn are

  • retail or business premises that provide goods or services to members of the public who attend the premises, including
    • supermarkets
    • shopping centres (excluding an indoor recreation facility in a shopping centre)
    • bank branches and post offices
    • hairdressing, nail, beauty, tanning and waxing salons
    • spas, tattoo parlours and massage parlours
    • betting agencies

  • indoor areas on common property of a strata titled, community titled, or company titled building

  • indoor areas of construction sites

  • any part of a licensed premises that is used for the purposes of gaming, and gaming lounges

  • places of public worship being used for public worship or religious services
  • residential aged care facilities
  • indoor areas of schools by all staff and students from Year 7 and above in Greater Sydney (outside Greater Sydney, masks are recommendedindoors for all staff and students from Year 7 and above) – some exemptions apply
  • workplaces
  • gym classes or dance classes
  • COVID-19 Safe outdoor gatherings
  • controlled outdoor gatherings
  • entertainment facilities (such as theatres, cinemas, music and concert halls)
  • major recreation facilities (such as stadiums, showgrounds, theme parks, racecourses, and motor racing tracks)
  • indoor recreation facilities (unless it is strenuous exercise).

You must wear a face mask if you

  • work at a hospitality venue located in NSW and
  • deal directly with members of the public.

Premises that are used for the purpose of providing health services are not retail or business premises.

Airports and commercial domestic flights

Face mask rules apply to airports and commercial domestic flights across NSW. 

You must wear a face mask when

  • indoors at a NSW airport, including the passenger waiting area and
  • during a domestic commercial flight when it is
    • landing or taking off from a NSW airport or
    • flying in NSW airspace.

www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/face-mask-rules