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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:
MaudesMum · 28/08/2020 19:54

If, as @AntFarm has made clear, the post office only currently allows one member of the public in at a time, and there is a screen behind which staff sit, this particular requirement seems even more over the top..

raddledoldmisanthropist · 28/08/2020 19:55

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QuestionMarkNow · 28/08/2020 19:57

@HeresMe

There are exemptions here for the disabled but people are still required to explain themselves if they can't wear a mask, which I think is fine.

Really you think the shop owner needs to know your medical history. With Germany's history you think there would be a bit more empathy with disabled.

Germany isn’t the only country to do that. And it has nothing to do with its history.

FWIW, no one has asked people with mobility issues if the single way system in supermarket was an issue for them. And if someone was seen not following the arrows they were pulled up and told to behave. SN or not.
So why can’t we do that with masks? Because I can promise you that having to go round all the whole of the supermarket was an issue for me (and many other people I’m sure). I still dint insist I was above everyone so I could use some short cuts. Actually it was expected that someone else wouod go to the shop for me instead. But somehow, when it comes to masks it’s different....

QuestionMarkNow · 28/08/2020 19:58

@BikeTyson

They have no legal basis for what they’re requesting. And for the “vote with your feet if you don’t like it” crew, just how many post offices do you think the average area has?
Well I’m tempted to say that someone could go instead just like I had to send someone else to do the shopping because I couldn’t do the whole ‘follow the arrows and the single lane system’ during the lockdown.
Heatherjayne1972 · 28/08/2020 19:58

Do the post office have a ceo or similar - someone high up to draw their attention to this
Perhaps They need a photo of this particular post office branch and reminder of the discrimination law. Plus a Reminder that the staff aren’t allowed to ask and the customer doesn’t have to tell
Also a reminder that the thing this branch wants people to produce doesn’t exist

Maryann1975 · 28/08/2020 19:59

I keep seeing people on Mumsnet talking about people who think the rules don't apply to them but in the month or so that masks have been compulsory in the UK I can probably count on one hand the amount of adults I've seen with no mask on
I think you must live in a very compliant place! It’s not like that here. Our area is looking like it might go in to local lock down and when I went into Tesco this morning, there were quite a few people out waring masks. The amount of people who didn’t sanitise hands shocked me too. There was a steady stream of people entering and only I and one other lady did this (We commented That it seemed to be a Thing Of the past now) and there Was no trolly cleaning station. Don’t get me started on those people who think noses don’t need to be covered!

I think the post office staff deserve to work in a safe place. If people can get away with not wearing a mask, they will do. If you have to prove your reasons you will eliminate all those who believe the rules don’t apply to them and be left with those with valid reason. These people will be safer because everyone else is wearing a mask. I think proving eligibility for non mask wearing is a small price to pay for a safer trip out? (Just my opinion obviously).

HeresMe · 28/08/2020 20:02

Germany isn’t the only country to do that.
And it has nothing to do with its history.

Seeing as. They used to put disabled people to death yeah their history has a lot to go with it.

Willow2017 · 28/08/2020 20:05

How else are you supposed to tell the difference between someone who doesn't like wearing a mask, someone who is politically against wearing a mask, and someone who has a condition?

You can't because nobody needs to explain thier history to random strangers.

They have to prove it to get a disabled parking badge don't they? Otherwise anyone can say they're exmpt.
Their medical history isn't displayed on the badge for randoms to know about though is it? It is given in confidence to get a badge and held under data protection laws. It just gives them the right to park in that area.

Doccomplaint · 28/08/2020 20:06

Nice to see the twats on this thread.

It’s disability discrimination. And illegal.

msflibble · 28/08/2020 20:07

@HeresMe
I guess you've never heard of Godwin's Law

EstuaryBird · 28/08/2020 20:07

@Intelinside57

"I keep seeing people on Mumsnet talking about people who think the rules don't apply to them but in the month or so that masks have been compulsory in the UK I can probably count on one hand the amount of adults I've seen with no mask on" Blimey! Come to Kent. It's about 50/50 in my local high street. Even in the supermarkets there are a significant number of non mask wearers who look to be strapping healthy individuals to me. (Yes... hidden disabilities... not that many).
Haha, I was just about to post the same thing. Our local supermarket (in Medway, which is in Kent for non locals) today was shocking. Lots without masks, not using sanitiser, shouting to each other. One ‘lady’ leant across me to get something while shouting to her son, right into my face. Another was walking around twirling her mask on her finger. So many people just don’t give a shit.
HeresMe · 28/08/2020 20:14

I guess you've never heard of Godwin's Law

Yep I know it funnily enough Mr Godwin likes calling people Nazis so his law is a load of rubbish.

sirfredfredgeorge · 28/08/2020 20:16

I believe there is an explicit public health exeption to the EA 2010

No specific one that I know of, but feel free to provide a link, in any case government certainly has the power to bring legislation to enable it, however they have not, indeed they've specifically said you should not have to prove it, and public health exemptions in laws are generally only to enable authorities to do otherwise illegal things, not any old person to decide they're doing something for "public health".

HeIenaDove · 28/08/2020 20:17

Maybe it should be a scarlet letter. That should stop the Godwins Law replies!!

LaLaLandIsNoFun · 28/08/2020 20:17

Fairly certain that forcing people to publicly explain/display their disability would be considered discrimination

HeresMe · 28/08/2020 20:23

Maybe it should be a scarlet letter. That should stop the Godwins Law replies!!

It annoyed me Germany is some sort of utopia it aint. And sounds like the disability laws aren't great.

amusedbush · 28/08/2020 20:25

I was in McDonald's a couple of weeks ago and there was a staff member at the door telling people to put masks on. In the 30 minutes we were there we saw three people sent away to get a mask from their car. A teenage girl said she had asthma and the woman asked to see her inhaler. When she didn't produce one, she was turned away.

amusedbush · 28/08/2020 20:28

I should also add that nobody sitting eating at the tables was wearing a mask, so it seemed mad to turn people away when they were only wearing a mask to order food at the screen and then sitting down... where they could immediately remove it.

OwlBeThere · 28/08/2020 20:31

my son is exempt, but he hasn't seen a GP in years, hes not sick, he has a disability. it took a year of desensitisation to be able to tolerate his glasses for more than a few minutes at a time.
he isn't required to explain his disability to anyone, including the PO.

amijustparanoidorjuststoned · 28/08/2020 20:34

I have to ask though, why shouldn't people who are exempt from mask - wearing not provide proof as to why? Surely there could be a generic doctors note? I don't mean to sound ignorant, please don't think I'm being a C-Word. I am honestly just curious.

OwlBeThere · 28/08/2020 20:41

Well, because the law doesn't require them too. and i would imagine because in order to do so would require GPs to do a ton of work they just don't have time to do, i guess is the reason for that decision.

HeresMe · 28/08/2020 20:41

Because doctors won't provide such note

SantaClaritaDiet · 28/08/2020 20:43

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LouiseNW · 28/08/2020 20:44

I think shops (in England anyway) have the right to refuse service to anyone they wish.

HeresMe · 28/08/2020 20:46

Is a post office they provide a public service the laws may be different.