Canberrans have been encouraged to assemble safety kits for their homes, to prepare for possible COVID-19 community transmission.
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ACT chief health officer Kerryn Coleman said masks were not yet required for the general public.
However, she told Canberrans to prepare a "home kit" of coronavirus essentials, including face coverings.
Dr Coleman said tissues, hand sanitiser, liquid handwash, soap, paper or cloth towels, household disinfectant or wipes would be useful kit supplies.
Disposable surgical masks or cloth masks with three layers of cloth made following the instructions from the Department of Health were recommended.
"We would encourage the community to think about what they may need if we do eventually see community transmission in the ACT," Dr Coleman said.
The ACT health department advised that purchasing items for a home safety kit now would avoid panic buying if masks became mandatory.
Dr Coleman said that decision would be informed by the number of COVID-19 cases, clusters in Canberra or surrounding regions and evidence of community transmission.
She said the ACT was currently considering the circumstances under which wearing a mask would be required, and were looking at the actions of other jurisdictions.
Dr Coleman did not rule out making masks mandatory during exercise.
"Clear advice would be provided to community on any requirements at the appropriate time," she said.
Bec Davis is the manager of Belconnen Discount Pharmacy which shares a mall with Woolworths.
The Woolworths Group released a statement last week saying customers will be encouraged to wear masks in ACT, NSW and some Queensland stores.
Miss Davis said disposable mask sales increased over the weekend following advice to shoppers of Big W, BWS, Dan Murphys, ALH Hotels and Woolies.
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She said there had been no hint of the frenzied buying which took place in many supermarkets and pharmacies in Canberra in March.
"Masks and hand-sanitiser and gloves are the main things people want, but gloves just aren't coming in to stock. We can't really get our hands on any," Ms Davis said.
Designers at Trove Canberra, a collective which sells handmade wares in Dickson, turned their attention to sewing masks recently.
A statement on the group's website said they had since received unprecedented demand for hand-sewn face masks.
"Several of our makers are working tirelessly to meet our customer demands," the statement said.
"Trove Canberra is receiving new stock every morning. Please be patient if stock is not available."
Dr Coleman said masks had not yet been made mandatory in the ACT because of low cases and no evidence of community transmission.
"Masks can also make people complacent and potentially increase the risk if masks are not utilised properly or if physical distancing and hand hygiene are not continually adhered to," she said.
"Our best defences continue to be: keeping 1.5 metres away from others where possible; practising hand and respiratory hygiene; and staying home when unwell - and getting tested if showing any symptoms of COVID-19."
The ACT recorded its fourth straight day without an active case on Tuesday, and about three weeks have passed since a new infection was detected in Canberra.