Legally, do anti-maskers have the "right" to not wear a mask?

face masks, Melbourne, restrictions, COVID-19,

What are our rights and obligations when it comes to mask wearing? Source: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

Many anti-maskers are using a variety of "pseudo-legal" arguments that are circulating on conspiracy theory websites and social media pages.


One of their first claims to be deployed: "It hasn't been passed as a law"

Another popular claim among anti-maskers is "It violates my human rights."

A third anti-masker theme is: "I don't consent."

A fourth claim is "I'll sue."

Associate Professor Beck says there is a common thread in what anti-maskers are saying.

"All of this seems to come from or have sort of affinities with the sovereign citizen movement. These people make these kinds of pseudo-legal arguments,and usually they make them to try and get out of parking fines or paying council rates or things like that. But this is a variation. Some of these people in the sovereign citizen movement think if you utter particular words or emphasise particular 'facts', it will somehow get you out of things."

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Legally, do anti-maskers have the "right" to not wear a mask? | SBS Punjabi