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?

[Ponoka7]

@darkwader, shops/businesses/organisations have to abide by the Equality Act. Disability is a protected characteristic. Insisting on masks is indirect discrimination.

Unfortunately the government has been wishy-washy on this. The new Covid legislation backed by clear government policies should have cleared all these issues up, but I think they've been deliberately noncommittal.

[Witchend]

@islockdownoveryet

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 .

It depends on your area. Round here, I see very few people not wearing them, and that's been the case for ages.
I was in a different area a couple of weeks ago and I'd say less than 25% were wearing them. I saw one shop person ask someone to put on a mask before entering and the person just pushed straight past.

Round here the no/100 000 is very low. Whether that is luck or to do with mask wearing would be interesting to find out.

[StatisticalSense]

@Ponoka7
It comes down to whether or not allowing people with disabilities is a 'reasonable adjustment'. I could certainly see an argument that under specific local circumstances (such as in areas with high levels of the virus and regular compliance issues from people not actually exempt) it may be considered not to be reasonable, especially if the shop was offering the affected customers an alternative and safer way to obtain their shopping.

[PennyDreadfuI]

@darkwader

Nightclubs can have dress codes, and shops (without any government rules) can choose to have a no mask, no entry rule if they want. They can choose a no exemptions policy if they want.

The risk of anyone not wearing a mask is the same irrespective of who the person is, and this approach is a proportionate aim of not infecting other customers - so it is not illegal. The fact the governments scheme decided to make an exemption is only relevant to the criminal offence, not the schemes and decisions by businesses or private individuals.

It is illegal to refuse entry/service on the basis of disability. Shops who refuse entry to those unable wear a mask due to disability (or other health conditions) are doing just that. It's not the same as a dress code in a nightclub, nothing like.

[JKRowlingIsMyQueen]

Please report them because they are breaking the law.

Also, how do they know the exemptions were being abused? They had no way of knowing that unless they checked every single unmasked person's private medical information which is not legally possible. They are lying, plain and simple.

[AntiHop]

I am very pro mask but I am really angry about this op. Well done for contacting your councillor. Please make a formal complaint to the shop.

@Wavescrashingonthebeach I've got asthma and horrible pregnancy sickness too. But I always wear a mask when required, including on a recent 4 hour train journey. Sounds like you just don't like wearing it (unlike the op who really can't wear one).

[MadameBlobby]

It really is disgraceful that people are being abused over something that clearly doesn’t even make any difference anyway.

[MadameBlobby]

@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?

One group does not have to stay away. People without masks are allowed out

I can’t believe (a) how many people have been brainwashed by this mask bollocks (b) don’t understand the point of public health measures, ie to reduce transmission, not that every person has a right not to get the virus from someone else and (c) how many people don’t care about the disabled and will happily see them locked in the house or abused.

[MadameBlobby]

And how is “free click and collect” a reasonable adjustment? What if you just need a packet of tampons, some paracetamol, some baby milk and can’t wait the next day for “click and collect”?

[MadameBlobby]

@darkwader

Nightclubs can have dress codes, and shops (without any government rules) can choose to have a no mask, no entry rule if they want. They can choose a no exemptions policy if they want.

The risk of anyone not wearing a mask is the same irrespective of who the person is, and this approach is a proportionate aim of not infecting other customers - so it is not illegal. The fact the governments scheme decided to make an exemption is only relevant to the criminal offence, not the schemes and decisions by businesses or private individuals.

So what about a “no blacks” policy? A “no gays” policy? Would they be OK?

[Underhisi]

"No idea what the policy is around children, I imagine they're allowed in on the basis that (most!) adults can't pretend to be under 12 to abuse that exemption."

The only reasonable reason they can have to refuse people without masks is the health issue. That has to mean no mask no entry has to apply to everyone.

[TheGirlWithAPrince]

As an exempt person I understand the frustration, I can't breathe with a mask on and can have a panic attack due to it but sometimes I half wear one whilst slyly letting more air in just because I don't like people looking at me ... I shouldn't have too worry. Its especially bad if I have to take my mum shopping as I'm her carer but she definitely can't wear a mask so I wear one so it doesn't look suspicious

[ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia]

As many rightly stated this is because of the second wave and also because of the abuse of trust as to rules and adherence with people pretending to be exempt as can't be bothered, trying to avoid a criminal record (hypocritically) or pay the fine. People are basically beginning to be scared of the next wave of community asymptomatic super spreading. Retailers worried that if they facilitate a case (employee or shopper) they may cease trading or be subject to potential safety negligence and illegal breach of rules for Covid trading risk mitigation management.

[EveryPlanetHasAYorkshire]

Jesus Christ @ some of these comments

[DressingGownofDoom]

McDonalds wouldn't let me in without a mask despite the fact that I was in with my son, who is deaf and relies on lip reading. I emailed them to complain and they sent a 'sorry if we got it wrong on this occasion' email

[Nixen]

I’d be intrigued to know what other countries are doing about those who are exempt. I was in France last month and it was 100% compliance on mask wearing in shops... we did question how no one there seems to be exempt or are the exempt people just not going in any supermarkets / shops?!

[Akire]

The reasonable adjustment will come into play I think. If I want a pint of milk I can’t go to my nearest 4 shops/garage because they have a step. I have to go to a bigger shop. I could try and bang on their window and see if they have “the time” to serve me from the street. But frankly if they are not accessible they are not getting my money.

In a world where masks are compulsory, and you can’t wear one then you are temporally Disabled. If you can’t physically do something that is required. Larger shops could have staff outside to collect 5 items say. But having to be very organised and never run out will be the burden put upon you. Because in reality shops will not make any adjustments to serve people from the street. Hopefully some larger shops will but I wouldn’t hold your breath.

I have some see through mask for use with Deaf friends, if this would mean you are able to communicate and enter places they would be a good investment.

[Underhisi]

"I was in France last month and it was 100% compliance on mask wearing in shops"

France does have an exemption system I think a certificate which isn't provided in the UK.
The shop in the OP is out of line because they are banning one group of people who cannot wear masks but allowing another in so their reasoning isn't about spread but is purely discriminatory.

[PennyDreadfuI]

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia

As many rightly stated this is because of the second wave and also because of the abuse of trust as to rules and adherence with people pretending to be exempt as can't be bothered, trying to avoid a criminal record (hypocritically) or pay the fine. People are basically beginning to be scared of the next wave of community asymptomatic super spreading. Retailers worried that if they facilitate a case (employee or shopper) they may cease trading or be subject to potential safety negligence and illegal breach of rules for Covid trading risk mitigation management.

And if they deny access on the basis of disability they could be prosecuted under anti discrimination legislation.

[PennyDreadfuI]

@ResIpsaLoquiturInterAlia how on earth would anyone who caught Covid be able to prove they'd caught it in a particular shop anyway?!

[PennyDreadfuI]

@Nixen

I’d be intrigued to know what other countries are doing about those who are exempt. I was in France last month and it was 100% compliance on mask wearing in shops... we did question how no one there seems to be exempt or are the exempt people just not going in any supermarkets / shops?!

There are exemptions in France. You just didn't see anyone who was exempt.

I'm often the only person in a shop or on a bus without a mask - I can go days without seeing another maskless person.

[user1497207191]

@torn2020

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

So they're complying with the law - that's a "reasonable adjustment".

We have a shop in our village who do similar - a tiny shop. They bring stuff to the door for people not wearing masks. The owner is vulnerable so won't allow people without masks into the shop.

[MadameBlobby]

Some people clearly don’t know what “reasonable adjustments “ are. It’s a measure to remove or reduce the impact of the person’s disability. The reasonable adjustment is that they don’t need to wear a face covering.

[Akire]

No one is prosecuted for Disability discrimination. It’s up on the individual person to have the funds to pay for this and strength to carry it out possible over years. Even then the shop could claim its unreasonable to make adjustments because we can’t afford it or don’t have the staff and case closed.

I can’t go over a step more than 2cm when you go out and about today count how many times you step up more than that. If the theory works they shouldn’t be any as each business is breaking the law. But this country allows them to say we can’t.

I feel for people who suddenly find their worlds shrunk and life impossible but that’s the reality for millions for people.

[MadameBlobby]

So they're complying with the law - that's a "reasonable adjustment"


No it isn’t