Port Macquarie-Hastings residents and visitors are supporting the COVID-19 risk reduction benefits of wearing face masks where social distancing can be problematic.
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Margaret Racklyeft wore her mask for the first time while shopping at Woolworths Lake Cathie.
Woolworths is strongly encouraging the use of face coverings by staff and customers, even though it's not mandatory in the state.
"The safety and wellbeing of our customers, teams and the Port Macquarie and Camden Haven community is our top priority," Woolworths Port Macquarie group manager Craig Feuz said.
"By encouraging their use, it further supports the steps we need to collectively take to stop the spread of the virus and keep our team and customers safe."
Mrs Racklyeft said it's a good initiative and would like to see other organisation follow the same advice.
However, she acknowledged it's important to wear the face mask while also upholding other safety initiatives such as social distancing and washing hands regularly.
John and Doreen Usher are visitors from Portland, NSW.
The couple said they will wear masks in public spaces and had already used coverings at the bank, before attending the shops at Lake Cathie.
Mr Usher said more people should embrace masks as it provides a greater chance of stopping the spread of the virus.
"If we're all prepared to do the right thing we'll be safe," he said.
"Now we always keep them (masks) in our pockets."
Another woman, who didn't wish to be named, said she chose to wear a mask because she can't afford to get sick as a carer.
The NSW government has strongly recommended people wear masks in high-risk situations as the state enters what premier Gladys Berejiklian labels a "critical phase".
However, masks have not yet been made compulsory in NSW.
Mr Feuz said Woolworths would continue to work with the NSW Health Department to make sure safety protocols and procedures are the best they can be.
"We'd like to thank our customers and team for their ongoing support as we all work together to keep our communities COVIDSafe," he said.
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