Up to 80 residents and staff at Melbourne aged care facilities recently tested positive for coronavirus.

Aged care staff across Victoria's lock down zones have been directed to wear surgical masks, following recommendations from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).

In announcing the direction, Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, would be vital in preventing the spread of the virus to senior Australians.

Meanwhile according to NSW Health, aged care staff who reside in the below South Western Sydney local government areas must wear a surgical mask while in the centres until at least the end of July.

While the direction has not yet been enforced throughout NSW, some aged care centres in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region are already taking additional precautions.

A spokesperson from Whiddon Laurieton in the Camden Haven said wearing face masks is an important infection control measure at the centre.

"The teams do wear PPE, including face masks, as a precautionary measure when required," she said.

Whiddon Laurieton is continuing to screen all staff and visitors on entry, including asking whether they have been to any of the coronavirus hotspots as well as temperature testing.

The company is also regularly communicating with all employees to remind them of the importance to stay at home if they experience any flu-like symptoms.

"We are providing our staff with ongoing education on infection control and coronavirus avoidance measures," the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for Uniting Mingaletta Port Macquarie said the centre was aware of additional advice being issued to aged care homes in Victoria, after the Department of Health published guidelines on July 9 for when masks should be worn in the community.

"We are in the process of carefully reviewing the recent advice and the growing incidence of community transmissions to determine the best response for our services," the spokesperson said.

"We will always ensure that the welfare of our residents, clients and team members are at the forefront of our actions."

The spokesperson said any additional precautions will complement existing robust infection controls, including COVID-19 visitor screening protocols and hand and respiratory hygiene protocols.

"The safety and wellbeing of our residents and team members is absolutely critical," he said.

"We'll continue to work closely with the relevant agencies to ensure their safety and to prevent the spread of the virus."

According to guidelines issued by the Department of Health on July 9, wearing masks in the community has been the same since the pandemic began and it is not generally recommended.

However, the guidelines also state if people are in a region where community transmission is occurring, they should take extra precautions, in some circumstances.

"For people at increased risk of severe COVID-19 themselves because of older age or chronic illness, physical distancing is most important," the guidelines read.

"If you cannot maintain physical distance, wearing a mask is an important protective measure."

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