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?

@Sirzy

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.

Neither you nor she even know whether such people have been using the shop, so no, she shouldn't be directing any anger there. And even if you both knew they did, the shop still aren't entitled to break the law in response.

@LoveNote

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

I’ve had mine

Please bear in mind that whatever your training says, there is absolutely no requirement for those who are exempt to wear a lanyard. If they choose to, they may not be wearing a sunflower one anyway - many charities/organisations have their own, and the government have said people can make their own if they wish.

@LoveNote

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

You don't have the right to refuse entry on the basis of disability or health condition, which is precisely what you're doing if you're refusing entry to somebody who is exempt.

@LoveNote

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

I’ve had mine

I'd like to know what that training consists of

@LoveNote You do not have the right to refuse entry when the reason for refusal is based on a person's disability (and that includes perceived disability). I hope someone else is doing the training at your shop.

Dear mr @ChaChaCha2012 I DID NOT say anyone can be refused on the basis of disability, just that stores do have the right to refuse access.....and issue bans. Troublemakers are everywhere right now

This is on the gov website , it is absolutely discrimination.
It's not law to require a card and shouldn't be either .
I'm really worried if I need to take my disabled teenage son out . I've avoided going to any shops with him but I'll need to eventually.

I didn't realise exemption cards had been introduced ? is this a national or local iniative ? @torn2020

Same old story isn't it? Let's screw other the disabled for the small minority who will take the piss.

OP. Could you wear a visor? Same question to asthma sufferers? Not having a go just genuinely trying to understand.

I'm so sorry for the trauma that you experienced as a child. I do support the supermarket's position, though. Non-mask wearing increases the risk to every shopper you come into contact with. It's a tricky balance of weighing up your right to shop freely as someone with a disability, with the health of people around you. It's a tough one but I think they have the balance right - if you can have groceries delivered for free instead, and you get priority slots. It's not ideal, though, and I sympathize.

It's just a card of the internet @frumpety anyone can print one .
It's not law to carry one it's just some people may want to if they get stopped but a simple I'm exempt should be enough.

@frumpety

I didn't realise exemption cards had been introduced ? is this a national or local iniative ? *@torn2020*

They haven't.

The problem is that 1/3 of people approx here arent wearing masks, statistically its highly unlikely 1/3 of people in Lidl today are exempt so what are supermarkets meant to do. The government hasn't authorised drs to issue exemption letters so it's simply one persons word and people are lying

@Bellybootcut

OP. Could you wear a visor? Same question to asthma sufferers? Not having a go just genuinely trying to understand.

Oh lord, not this again.

1. Visors are useless alone. In Scotland, they're banned unless worn with a mask because they're so ineffective. They do absolutely nothing to protect others and only protect the wearer from large splashes like blood or other bodily fluids. The UK government website states that close fitting cloth coverings should be worn.

1. Very many people who are exempt from wearing a mask cannot tolerate a visor either. Those with certain neurological conditions cannot tolerate the pressure around the temples, for example. Some people with PTSD can't manage anything close to their faces.

Please can people stop suggesting shields/visors on every single thread like this.

@movingonup20

The problem is that 1/3 of people approx here arent wearing masks, statistically its highly unlikely 1/3 of people in Lidl today are exempt so what are supermarkets meant to do. The government hasn't authorised drs to issue exemption letters so it's simply one persons word and people are lying

Which statistics would these be, please? Do you have a source?

@LoveNote Your claim that you can refuse entry was in direct response to my statement that you have no power to enforce the law on mask wearing. You absolutely do not have that power, and to refuse entry to someone who states they are exempt is unlawful. You're no better than the shop manager that torn refers to are you? You're happy to discriminate based on your own ignorance.

@PennyDreadfuI there is no need to be so rude, that poster had a genuine suggestion.....not everyone is on this forum often enough to know whats been posted about before!!

@LoveNote

Dear mr *@ChaChaCha2012* I DID NOT say anyone can be refused on the basis of disability, just that stores do have the right to refuse access.....and issue bans. Troublemakers are everywhere right now

If you're refusing access to people who aren't wearing masks, refusing access on the basis of disability is precisely what you're doing.

[quote LoveNote]@PennyDreadfuI there is no need to be so rude, that poster had a genuine suggestion.....not everyone is on this forum often enough to know whats been posted about before!![/quote]
Where was I rude?!

You don't know people are lying and I doubt very much it's 1/3 of people.
The people I've seen stick out like a sore thumb and is say it's approx 95% are wearing a mask where I I've been anyway .

@PennyDreadfuI we are not?
Budgens apparently are

Free click and collect seems a reasonable adjustment.

Each person not wearing a mask is putting other people at risk and therefore non-masked people's rights, even with good reasons, go against the rights of other people with disabilities or conditions who at higher risk of COVID. It's not possible to suit both groups. One group has to stay away. Who decides?

@doublehelix

Free click and collect seems a reasonable adjustment.

Each person not wearing a mask is putting other people at risk and therefore non-masked people's rights, even with good reasons, go against the rights of other people with disabilities or conditions who at higher risk of COVID. It's not possible to suit both groups. One group has to stay away. Who decides?

That would be the Equality Act, which imposes a duty on the shop not to breach it but does not impose a duty to breach it because it might be in the interests of another group. So it's the law that decides, or the courts if necessary.

Welcome to 2020 where people are actively supporting disability discrimination, and that rape victims should just forget about there traumas.

It's a scary road we are heading down it really is.

And before anyone starts I wear a mask, I just support other people's rights.