Residents in Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire will be required to wear masks outside of the home, Premier Daniel Andrews has announced.
The new rule will come into effect from 11:59pm on Wednesday, and the fine for not wearing one will be $200.
Mr Andrews said the measures were a "powerful next step" in managing the spread of coronavirus.
"It doesn't come at an enormous cost to the Victorian economy," he said.
"It still allows us to go about our business — particularly those who can't work at home and for going shopping for the basics when you need them."
Mr Andrews said "common sense" would guide the new rules and people would not be required to wear one when it was impractical.
Teachers would not be required to wear masks in school, but students who are able to do so should "whenever practical", he said.
Victoria has recorded 363 new cases of COVID-19 since yesterday.
Three more people have died — two men and a woman, all in their 90s — bringing the state's death toll to 38.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said she was extending Victoria's state of emergency until August 16.
"That decision has been made acting on the advice of the chief health officer, given that we continue to see rising case numbers, increasing numbers of people being hospitalised and sadly also increasing fatalities," she said.
The state is also introducing additional restrictions on visitors to hospitals and aged care facilities.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said universal mask-wearing was "key" to helping reduce the spread of the virus.
"We are in a bit of a numbers rollercoaster at the moment, but with no absolutely clear sign that numbers are decreasing," Professor Sutton said.
"I hope the trend moves in that direction."
Professor Sutton said children below the age of 12 would not be required to wear face coverings, but it would be mandatory for high school students.
He said there would be exemptions for people with legitimate excuses, such as medical reasons.
Face coverings would not be required in childcare, he said.
The mandate was introduced in response to coronavirus spreading in workplaces, Mr Andrews and Professor Sutton said.
"About 80 per cent of our new cases since mid-May are being driven by transmission in workplaces, including private sector aged care," Mr Andrews said.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZ2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTA3LTE5L3ZpY3RvcmlhLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWNhc2VzLWNsaW1iLW1hc2tzLWJlY29tZS1tYW5kYXRvcnkvMTI0NzA0MjTSASdodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTI0NzA0MjQ?oc=5
2020-07-19 01:12:00Z
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