NSW has rolled out new state-wide face mask recommendations as 12 new coronavirus cases were reported overnight.
Premier Gladys Berejikilian said NSW is now at an "absolutely critical stage" of the pandemic, and the new mask recommendations - which are not compulsory - should start tomorrow.
There are four key areas NSW government wants residents to wear masks.
"If you are in an enclosed space and you cannot guarantee social distancing, such as public transport, such as when you are buying groceries, you should be wearing a mask," Ms Berejikilian said.
Staff in customer facing roles like retail and hospitality should also wear masks.
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"Whenever they are facing customers, we strongly recommend that they wear masks," she said.
She said people attending places of worship should also wear masks.
The fourth situation was people living in areas where there is a high level of community transmission or hotspots.
"The next few weeks will make or break us, in terms of the way we get through this pandemic," Ms Berejeklian said.
Ms Berejikilian did not believe people would struggle to get hold of masks, claiming face masks were "readily available".
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said mask wearing was "the fourth line of defence".
The first three lines of defence are to isolate at the first signs of flu-like symptoms and to immediately get tested for COVID-19, to maintain social distancing and have good hand hygiene at all times.
Dr Chant said people in greater Western Sydney and Potts Point, in Sydney's east, should get tested.
"We need to mop up any community transmission that has occurred is associated with those clusters," she said.
Yesterday, NSW Health reported 17 new COVID-19 infections and one death.
More to come.
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