Supermarket refuses service without mask

[torn2020]

The supermarket in my small town has taken the decision to refuse entry to anyone without a mask, even if they're exempt/carrying a card/wearing a lanyard etc. Apparently the exemption cards "were being abused".

Judging from comments on the local Facebook group, there's overwhelming support for this.

I'm horrified/disgusted at the overt discrimination and lack of empathy. Would say I'll boycott but actually have no choice since I'm unable to wear a mask (due to PTSD from being choked and strangled as a child, for those who like to jump in and say I should just put up with it for a 5 min shop). Apparently mask exempt people "don't have the right to just go wherever they want".

AIBU at despairing at humanity just a little bit more today?

This whole thing has really highlighted the absolute contempt for the disabled or anyone with a mental health issue.
I was at a shopping centre today and they'd taped off all the benches so anyone very elderly/unsteady/easily fatigued is basically excluded.

I'm so sorry that they are doing this, it's utterly disgusting. Are they part of a larger chain?

Please contact your MP and local councillors about this, and if you feel able to, name the supermarket here. It is disability discrimination.

To be honest, I can see both sides. I'm not fan of the mask-fanatics but I suspect that there's abuse of the exemptions too. I also suspect the whole issue causes a lot of hassle for the store that it could live without. However, I agree that it could be discriminatory.

Personally I don't give two hoots whether someone wears one or not. I do, solely because it's the rule to do so. As soon as the rule is dropped, I won't.

Yanbu

There was a video with a pilot kicking someone off a plane for not wearing a mask and people were clapping and cheering

Disgusting

As a retail manager I can see why they are clamping down,albeit it sounds overly harsh

Customers are now fearing a second lockdown and are DEMANDING staff address the lack of mask wearing and lack of enforcement

Really noticed it this week.

And this is what happens because so many people who CAN, won't.

That sounds illegal.

@LoveNote What is there to clamp down on? The law is clear that they have no right to ask for proof of disability. Are you advocating disability discrimination?

Also, the masks are literally slipping..... people pull them down to speak to you and often just cover mouths leaving noses free. ReallY no point to them when that happens. Staff ignore it because they are snapped at for mentioning it then barked at when they turn round for letting maskless people in.....you can’t win and get abuse either way

Mental health of retail workers is at an all time low.... the abuse is off the scale. I try to protect our younger staff ( maybe your teen sons and daughters) but they really are struggling to cope

This is disgraceful conduct on the part of the supermarket. It might even be illegal as people with disabilities and other health issues are being discriminated against. You have my sympathy OP

@ChaChaCha2012 er no not disabilities....clamping down on customers abusing this by simply knowing they won’t be asked so go with no mask leaving those with true disability in op position

@torn2020 get yourself a sunflower land yard and just walk in with it. Ask for a duty manager if questioned. Retail workers should now be aware as the sunflower scheme is rolling out this week I believe

So how do they clamp down on those abusing it, without discriminating against those with disabilities?

Retail staff have no power to enforce the law, so they should not be expected to ask/ tell any customer to put on a mask. There will always be a small minority that abuse any rule, but trying to enforce this (when you have no power to do so) is what is causing harm.

My supermarket were lovely when I was sobbing and hyperventilating from having attempted to comply.
I now have a visor which is just about tolerable, but not practical for carrying around spontaneously. Only suitable for car based trips, not dropping in in passing as it is bulky and easily damaged.

It is disgusting that businesses are prepared to break the laws of the Equality Act 2010.

get yourself a sunflower land yard and just walk in with it.

She's already been told that they're refusing entry to those with lanyards.

Yes we can ask if they have a mask. That’s the door Marshall’s job. A surprising amount of people ‘forget’ and run back to their car for their mask. Or have it in their bags and forget

In fact a door Marshall promoting masks is part of health and safety audit

And actually stores do have the right to refuse entry, so do have the ‘power’. Not the road we would ever go down though

Sunflower land yard ‘training’ is now happening in retail. From this week I think

I’ve had mine

Sadly that is why disability benefits and blue badges and the likes are a nightmare. Because lots of people will try and gain something for their benefit when it’s not there for them. Unless they come up with a system where ligit people can get something to prove it then some shops will say no mask no way.

Same way as I’m a wheelchair user I’m excluded from many places due to a step. It’s illegal to get less service and access but in reality nothing is done about it. You just have to go the places you can get in. Doesn’t help you but that’s what’s it like, it sucks. But do try your local MP if that’s the only reasonable shop you can use you may get somewhere.

Thanks everyone.

@LoveNote - lanyards, exemption cards, or other "proof" of disability are not being accepted. People are getting humiliated and turned away at the door. It's horrifying please don't try and defend it.

I can totally understand asking at the door if someone has a mask, but if they reply that they're exempt surely there's no justification for turning them away? I don't want to have to disclose my ins and outs of my issues to every random marshal on a shop door...

There is a shop near me that insists on masks or face shields, they have a supply you can purchase (£1 for mask £3 for face shield) whilst it may not be legal the local response has been positive. It has stopped the can't be arsed and its manned by a person on the door who has discretion to let people in unmasked. The face shields are nearly pointless but it increases mask wearing of those that should.

You shouldn’t have to give an explanation but the Gov should work out a system where you can prove it. Or simply ask at the GP and be giving a link to print something off. Least if you are the can’t be assed sort it’s going take some sorting out. if there really are huge numbers of people who really can’t then the Gov wil have to sort something. Can’t have half population not being able to shop.

It’s awful and wrong of the shop but some of your anger needs to be directed at those who are more than able to wear them but decide not to - including those who are buying lanyards and similar to make themselves appear exempt.

Which shop was this?

Budgens. Apparently it's ok because they've offered free click and collect instead .

@OpenlyGayExOlympicFencer

That sounds illegal.

It is.