Why has Australia implemented policy directing their citizens to wear masks now?

Victoria has now made it mandatory to wear masks in public within coronavirus hotspots. Source: AAP

Since the pandemic's inception, over 100 countries have implemented policy directing their citizens to wear a mask.

The UK will introduce compulsory masks in shops from next Friday.

Several US states have also given similar advice to their communities.

Some countries such as Japan, Indonesia and Thailand have recently experienced face mask shortages.

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