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Original poster

Surely shops aren't allowed to do this?

312 replies

AntFarm · 28/08/2020 16:36

Our local post office/store has got a sign up outside stating that everyone entering must wear a mask and that exempt people must show proof of exemption before entering. It then goes on to list proof of exemption as :

A doctor's note on headed paper
Exemption letter from DWP
Hidden disabilities exemption card

If you cannot wear a mask and do not have any of these then you are not allowed to enter. They have, so generously, said that children under the age of 11 do not need to show proof.

I am not exempt, neither is anyone in my family, and we all happily wear masks no problem. It just doesn't seem right or fair that someone should have to show medical or personal documents to someone in a shop!

OP posts:
Sockwomble · 28/08/2020 18:07

"And a teenage boy is probably going to prefer to hang out of the pavement in a village for a bit most of the time. Post offices arent exactly exciting."

You can't leave a profoundly disabled teenager on their own on the street. It isn't safe. It that is ok then it is equally reasonable to leave babies and toddlers and any young children not wearing a mask on the street.

SantaClaritaDiet · 28/08/2020 18:11

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HeresMe · 28/08/2020 18:13

Coronavirus brings out the disabled haters on here, some people have no empathy and are pretty foul.

Idontknowhowtohelpher · 28/08/2020 18:14

From the government website - Exemption cards
Those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this, this includes exemption cards. No person needs to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about their reason for not wearing a face covering.

Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.

This is a personal choice and is not necessary in law.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

Also, pdf downloads here www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

SantaClaritaDiet · 28/08/2020 18:16

@HeresMe

Coronavirus brings out the disabled haters on here, some people have no empathy and are pretty foul.
as people are talking about people who don't WANT as opposed to people who CAN'T and the way to prove to which group you belong, you'll find it's actually the opposite.

Wearing a mask also protect disabled people you know... it's others you are protecting, not much yourself.

BamboozledandBefuddled · 28/08/2020 18:17

@HeresMe

Coronavirus brings out the disabled haters on here, some people have no empathy and are pretty foul.
They're also the people who don't have a clue what the laws/guidelines actually are because they're to busy trying to enforce what they'd like them to be.
Willow2017 · 28/08/2020 18:19

@MaveyWavey

If they wish to protect their staff, they can and I applaud them. There are other post offices that people can go to if they can’t/won’t wear a mask. I know I’ll get flamed, but I can’t see why so eone can’t put a scarf around their nose/mouth for 5 mins whilst in a shop, regardles of medical conditions.
Good job we aren't all relying on you for medical or mental health advice then isn't it?
loulouljh · 28/08/2020 18:23

I would simply take my custom elsewhere. They are opening themselves up legal claims for discrimination so sounds a pretty stupid thing to do.

ChaChaCha2012 · 28/08/2020 18:23

It is disability discrimination. The statutory guidance is clear that a retailer is not entitled to ask for proof of exemption. Refusal to admit a disabled person because they cannot prove their disability is unlawful.

For those that say it is acceptable, are you happy with shops declining service to other protected groups?

SantaClaritaDiet · 28/08/2020 18:24

how do they know it's a protected group? You expect them to be mind readers?

ChaChaCha2012 · 28/08/2020 18:26

how do they know it's a protected group? You expect them to be mind readers?

They have to go on the person's word. The law is clear on that. The only people who can ask for proof are the police. If you disagree then take it up with your MP.

SimonJT · 28/08/2020 18:26

It is disability discrimination.

My boyfriend can’t wear a mask due to his disability, if a company decides to discriminate against those with disabilities we will simply never give them our business again.

listsandbudgets · 28/08/2020 18:30

Unfortunately, as ling as there are idiots who can wear a mask but won't, those who genuinely can't are going to find themselves stigmatised. There's no way to tell by looking at someone if they are an inconsiderate moron or facing genuine difficulties.

The osot office are not trying to inconvenience those who can't but those who won't. Ironically the ones who suffer are who can't.

Its not fair, its nice and it must feel utterly unreasonable to those affected.

listsandbudgets · 28/08/2020 18:31

^not nice

Original poster
AntFarm · 28/08/2020 18:32

@loulouljh

I would simply take my custom elsewhere. They are opening themselves up legal claims for discrimination so sounds a pretty stupid thing to do.
I think Covid has generally given lots of shops an excuse to lord it up over customers. Not just about masks but about all aspects of shopping.
OP posts:
GlomOfNit · 28/08/2020 18:32

The shop/PO concession are just being rather stupid. It's one thing to have a poster reminding people to mask up (as virtually all shops round here have) that's fine and inoffensive. To state that people with exemptions need 'letters from the GP' is just bloody uninformed - as if GPs have time or inclination to write thousands of exemption letters a week, and how would you pick one of those up anyway, given that it's virtually all telephone appointments now?

You could always register a complaint or comment with the Royal Mail - doubt anything will come of it though.

Regarding face covering compliance locally, I'm also amazed to hear about places where loads of people aren't complying, and just thank my lucky stars I live near a small town where virtually EVERYONE, often even tiny children who probably shouldn't wear one anyway, is masked up inside shops, and a fairly high proportion are covered up on the high street and in the open-air market too. Think I'll stay put here!

HeresMe · 28/08/2020 18:32

as people are talking about people who don't WANT as opposed to people who CAN'T

Except there have been comments on here a poster basically telling someone to put a mask on disabled son, others saying well you can wear for 5 mins so clearly you are wrong.

Permanentlypuzzled · 28/08/2020 18:32

Is it disability discrimination to require a blue badge to be shown in a disabled parking space?
Should we accept the person’s word?

Sockwomble · 28/08/2020 18:37

Blue badge rules are irrelevant.In the case of masks the government has said that the persons word is all that is required and no badge has been issued. As a pp said if you don't like it take it up with the government.

Original poster
AntFarm · 28/08/2020 18:37

@Permanentlypuzzled

Is it disability discrimination to require a blue badge to be shown in a disabled parking space? Should we accept the person’s word?
Presumably it is law that to park in a disabled parking space a blue badge has to be shown?! It is not the law that a person with a condition that makes them exempt from wearing a mask has to go to the GP to get a note and show a jumped up shop owner personal medical information.
OP posts:
Original poster
AntFarm · 28/08/2020 18:38

Once again, I totally agree with @Sockwomble

OP posts:
WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat · 28/08/2020 18:41

Well I've dug out my old school cap and I reckon if I shuffled in there with my plimsolls tied to my knees i might get away with it. Wink

Willow2017 · 28/08/2020 18:44

@Gncq

If you can't wear a mask because of your one single condition, get a certificate as requested by this P.O. It's not hard.
Where do you suppose these certificates are available from?

All these people so busy telling others what to do but can't be bothered to actually read the rules on masks themselves. Funny that?

Livelovebehappy · 28/08/2020 18:45

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BamboozledandBefuddled · 28/08/2020 18:45

Regarding face covering compliance locally, I'm also amazed to hear about places where loads of people aren't complying, and just thank my lucky stars I live near a small town where virtually EVERYONE, often even tiny children who probably shouldn't wear one anyway, is masked up inside shops, and a fairly high proportion are covered up on the high street and in the open-air market too. Think I'll stay put here!

There's a pattern to this. It's generally the case that those who froth at the sight of an unmasked face/demand the exempt wear badges/don't think there should be exemptions anyway live in areas where compliance is very low. People who just get on with their lives and mind their own business seem to live in areas of high compliance. Strange, isn't it?