Masks could become more common in the North East after Victorians in regional areas were told they should now wear them in public if they cannot stay 1.5 metres away from other people.
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But Premier Daniel Andrews says this should not ignite fears that coronavirus is spreading faster outside of Melbourne's lockdown zone.
He has now advised country residents to wear masks when shopping or getting in a taxi.
"If you are out and about and you don't believe you'll be able to maintain a 1.5 metre social distancing ... then we are requesting of you that you wear a mask. That is a small thing, but it could make a really big difference in stopping the spread of this virus," he said.
"That shouldn't be read as forecasting where we think case numbers are going to go, it should be seen just as a precautionary measure that's pretty low-cost, but very high benefit."
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Masks are not compulsory, just a request from the government.
"That mask can be homemade, that mask can be one bought, that mask can take the form of simply wearing a scarf," Mr Andrews said.
"It just reduces the likelihood of you spreading it if you happen to have it but don't have symptoms and it reduces the chances of you getting it if you move in a circle of people"
He said anyone with coronavirus symptoms should not be out of the house at all.
On a day when Victoria recorded 438 new coronavirus cases, with 433 from Melbourne, the government turned some extra attention to stopping it spreading into regional areas.
Mr Andrews said he was comforted by relatively low numbers in regional areas, "but these things can change rapidly".
"That ring around Melbourne and Mitchell Shire is working in terms of reducing the spread of this virus into regional Victoria, but it can change if people don't follow the rules, it can change if people go about their business and pretend like it didn't, it can change if people pretend this is over because they want it to be," he said.
