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June 28, 2026
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Face masks for Ballina and Byron businesses

By The Echo

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Pixabay

As masks become harder to find across the Northern Rivers following the latest COVID-19 health alert, NSW Health has provided masks for business operators in Ballina and Byron Shires.

This follows their direction that masks are mandatory for all retail and hospitality venues and all indoor public settings, as well as public transport.

These restrictions will remain in place until 11.59pm on Monday 5 April, when the community will be updated.

Ballina

Ballina Shire Council is calling on the three business chambers to assist in distributing these masks to the local business community.

Business operators will also be able to collect face masks from the following locations (limit of one box of fifty per business – Lennox Head Cultural Centre and Ballina Shire Council Chambers should also have masks available after Easter if they’re still required):

  • Alstonville Aquatic Centre (open Thursday 1 April 5.30am to 7pm; open Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday 10am to 5pm).
  • Ballina Visitor Information Centre (open Thursday 1 April 9am to 5pm; open every day over Easter 10am to 2pm).

Byron

NSW Health has provided 120,000 disposable face masks to small businesses in the Byron Shire.

The measure is designed to help small businesses and their customers comply with the NSW Health Order that came into effect at 5pm Wednesday, 31 March, 2021 mandating people in indoor venues and premises to wear face masks.

Council is helping NSW Health with the distribution of the face masks.  Small business operators can pick a free box of face masks from the following locations:

·         Mullumbimby Newsagency (until 5pm today, Saturday 3 April 6am – 2pm, Sunday 4 April – Monday 5 April 6am – 12noon)

·         Billinudgel Hotel (Friday 2 April – Monday 5 April 10am – 2pm)

·         Ocean Shores Tavern (Friday 2 April noon – 10pm, Saturday 3 April 8:30am – 10pm, Sunday 4 April 10am – 10pm)

·         Brunswick Heads Visitor Centre (Friday 2 April – Sunday 4 April) from 10am – 2pm

 The Bangalow Chamber of Commerce will be distributing the masks to small businesses in Bangalow.

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Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire