Mr Andrews was asked at his daily media conference on Monday to directly respond to comments made by Mr Tilley to The Border Mail about masks and them being unnecessary when playing golf, fishing, camping or going for a walk outside of Melbourne.

The government has taken a harder line on face coverings in the fight against COVID-19 by ordering all Victorians to stop wearing scarves, bandanas or face shields even though virus daily case numbers have plummeted to their lowest number since June.

"I know they are not pleasant to wear, particularly if you wear glasses, it is challenging," Mr Andrews said.

"But really? Compared to people being locked in their homes and people needing machines to breathe, I reckon I can deal with some foggy glasses.

"I think Bill needs to have a look at the broadest context. It is significant benefit, low cost."

When pushed further on the need for wearing a mask when on a walk in a regional area, Mr Andrews dismissed the question as being "esoteric".

"You wear a mask because there is some benefit," he said.

"There will come a time when they are not needed and when that time comes people won't have to wear them."

Mr Tilley said masks should be still worn at markets, supermarkets and other places where people gathered indoors.

Wangaratta GP Julian Fidge said masks were unnecessary in virus free regional areas.

"We now know the Premier has instituted broad measures because he lacks the capacity to differentiate Victoria into regions smaller than urban and rural," he said.

"People who are by themselves don't need to wear a mask, indoors or outdoors.

"If you are walking the dog or fishing by yourself, there is obviously no need to wear a mask.

"Just carry one and put it on if you stop to speak with someone.

"This is the type of illogical, unnecessary imposition that makes people start protesting."

Border taxi driver Chris Artis said there was no doubt Wodonga residents were heading to Albury to escape wearing masks since unlimited movement for border residents came into effect.

"The people I take across to Albury have regularly said 'I am out of jail, I am free'," he said.

"Absolutely it is a reason they are going across and I really feel for the pubs and restaurants in Wodonga still dealing with restrictions in Victoria.

"But why? We've had no cases, have never had any and people are sick of wearing masks."