Unlike Melburnians, Dubbo residents are being told they don't need to wear masks when they can't socially distance.
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That's despite the likelihood there are people in NSW who have COVID-19 and don't know it.
Western NSW health official Priscilla Stanley says there is an "extremely low" chance of coming into contact with them.
At the same time, she's urging observance of social distancing and hand hygiene.
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Recent visitors to Dubbo have called it "too relaxed".
"We have noticed in other towns people are social distancing," a visitor told the Daily Liberal.
"Everyone gives you a wide berth when you are walking down the street, and they all stay away from each other, but we haven't seen that here in Dubbo."
In Melbourne, coronavirus hotspots have led authorities to call on residents to cover their noses and mouths if social distancing in public is impossible.
They are being asked to make their own washable masks and not bother with single-use versions.
This newspaper asked the Western NSW Local Health District if wearing a mask was prudent in Dubbo after the concerns of the visitors was amplified by social media users.
Ms Stanley, its director of public health, responded by asking people in the region to "remain vigilant against COVID-19".
"In line with existing advice, NSW Health recommends that everyone maintains physical distancing and regularly washes their hands to minimise the risk of virus transmission between people," she said.
"This includes physical distancing between households at family gatherings, when we are out at the shops and when we are in a café or restaurant."
On Thursday Ms Stanley said there was no evidence of community transmission in NSW in recent days, but the virus was "likely still circulating" among people in the community with mild symptoms.
"People with very mild symptoms or who show no obvious symptoms can unknowingly pass it to others," she said.
"NSW Health is urging anyone feeling unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat, to isolate from others and get tested, so cases in the community are identified as quickly as possible."
But wearing a mask was still a step too far.
"For most Australians, the advice about the wearing of masks in the community is the same as it has been since the pandemic began," Ms Stanley said.
"It is not generally recommended. The chance of coming into contact with someone with COVID-19 is negligible or extremely low."
Ms Stanley told of the health district's readiness for more COVID-19 cases through "extensive preparations".
They included the expanding of testing, more than doubling of intensive care unit beds, promoting of the COVIDSafe app, working with businesses to help them protect their customers, and securing essential supplies such as personal protective equipment and test kits.
