NSW opposition leader insists masks should be mandatory in Sydney but Gladys Berejiklian is holding firm on her decision to keep them voluntary

NSW opposition leader Jodi McKay has called to mandate mask use across the state, while Premier Glady Berejiklian continues to stand firm on only 'strongly recommending' the usage of face coverings.

The NSW Labor leader stressed that the government should be trying to make high risk situations - like travelling on public transport - safer with the use of masks. 

'We've had over 11 ferry and bus and train routes where there has been somebody using the routes who has coronavirus. So it is important that we're looking at high-risk situations,' she told ABC News Breakfast.

NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay has called on the government to make masks mandatory 

Masks are strongly recommended to be worn when on public transport or in indoor areas 

'My view is that until it's mandatory, people won't wear a mask.'

Ms McKay understands that this year has been challenging for Australians and says NSW's case numbers need to be assessed daily to determine the next steps.   

'My heart goes out to everyone who had planned on spending time with their family and trying to get back to some normality after a challenging year,' Ms McKay said.

'For us, it will depend on the numbers each day as to what we call for from the government, but right now, as I've done for most of the year, I am supporting the Premier and the decision that she's made.'

NSW government has strongly recommended masks be work especially on public transport  

On Monday, Ms McKay praised New South Wale's contact tracing system, but called for stricter measures to be introduced. 

'It's the best in the world, I have no doubt about that,' she said. 

'But we can't just depend on the NSW Health contact tracing team to get us through this. Everything needs to be done to make sure this is contained within the Northern Beaches and the spread stops.' 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian stands firm on not making masks mandatory across the state 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged NSW residents to wear masks when travelling on public transport and in indoor settings.    

'In terms of mask wearing - please make sure, if you're in an indoor setting, obviously on the Northern Beaches it's more paramount, but if you're catching public transport, you need to be wearing a mask,' Ms Berejiklian said.

'If you're going grocery shopping or indoor shopping in a mall or anywhere else, you need to be wearing a mask. Indoor settings that Health has already identified, you should be wearing a mask.'

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said that he would not support recommendations for mandatory masks across Greater Sydney. 

'Well, the medical expert panel of Australia, the AHPPC Australian Health Protection Principal has set out very clearly that masks are appropriate, where states and territories dictate', he told ABC News Breakfast. 

'New South Wales has encouraged that within the Northern Beaches and greater Sydney area and so I think they are taking the decisions on the ground'. 

The Northern Beaches cluster of cases currently stands at 83.