No mask No entry question?

[OneofPansPeople]

Can a hairdresser legally refuse to serve non mask wearers ?

No, not if the non mask wearer is exempt.

My hairdresser is . She says that clients are free to go elsewhere.

You are, and if that's her attitude I bloody well would take my money elsewhere!

I suppose they can choose not to allow non mask wearers in.

@TheFuckThatIGave

No, not if the non mask wearer is exempt.

I believe this isn't quite correct.

The business is liable for claims of discrimination if the non-mask wearer is disabled and hence unable to wear a mask - nb in this case the customer doesn't even need to try to enter the store - if the business has a global rule that does NOT make allowances for disabled people then it is guilty of discrimination.

A disabled person does not need to prove their condition though.

So if you tried to enter a business without a mask and you claimed you weren't wearing one because it made you thought masks were silly, they could refuse to serve you. But if you said you were disabled and couldn't wear a mask for that reason, they'd have to serve you.

That at least is my reading of it but i'm not a lawyer.

Addition to above - they would be free though to insist for example that anyone wishing to use their business had a negative test result within the previous 48h as that would show a reasonable attempt to offer a workaround for those unable to wear a mask.

I wonder how it works if they employ people who are vulnerable covid?

Sister has a hair salon, is aware that some clients don't want to be sitting in a chair for an hour + if the person near to them doesn't wear a mask.
She is offering to do non mask wearers in an empty salon, but ultimately is mindful of her staff and customers peace of mind.

Do the hairdressers have to wear masks?

(I'm curious, because my hairdressers were not making any customers wear them - said it was up to them - but they also weren't wearing them, though they were wearing face shields)

No, and I'd hope they would get sued if they tried. A service provider can respectfully ask someone to put a mask on, but the customer is free to say no on the basis that they are exempt and they do not have to prove this exemption beyond stating it.

disabilityrights.org.uk/first-face-mask-discrimination-case-nets-7-000

www.frylaw.co.uk/archives/articles/face-masks-the-equality-act/

If they're a non mask wearer for reasons of disability, then offering a separate session in an empty salon would be a reasonable adjustment I'd have thought.

No as if they are genuinely exempt it’s discrimination!
If them clients don’t feel safe enough to go salon then they shouldn’t go.

TheFuckThatIGave

You are, and if that's her attitude I bloody well would take my money elsewhere!

I was there yesterday and she was telling me that she is busier than ever . So many people do not want to sit near anyone not wearing a mask.

If you are exempt and not wearing a mask for health reasons, the business can ask you to take a lateral flow test though. They also have a duty of care to their staff.

@titchy

If they're a non mask wearer for reasons of disability, then offering a separate session in an empty salon would be a reasonable adjustment I'd have thought.

Agree. No grounds for discrimination in that scenario.

I’m thinking I’ll let
My hair grow even longer (no cut since Dec 2019). Wouldn’t want my hair cutter not to be masked nor to sit somewhere with unmasked bods. May get dp to cut it (currently in stand off about that)
Me - I promise I won’t complain I just want a few inches off - if it s a disaster I’ll just wear it up for a bit.
Dp - absolutely no way. More than my life’s worth.

Are they on any social media platforms OP?

I’d vote with my feet and review them on SM.

I think non mask wearers should be seen separately to mask wearers tbh.
Im exempt but always wear one when indoors.

@PenfoldPenny

I think non mask wearers should be seen separately to mask wearers tbh. Im exempt but always wear one when indoors.

If you where one indoors then you are not exempt.

And yes let's separate those who are exempt from the rest of society shall we?? Would you like us to all move in to ghettos while we're at it? Or put us in camps?
We already need to wear big labels (lanyards) to try and stop some of the abuse.

Can you really not see where this attitude can lead??

Im exempt but always wear one when indoors.

There’s no list of exempt conditions. The only reason to be exempt is if you cannot wear one. You clearly can, since you do, therefore you are not exempt

Of course they can. No business has to accept any customer they don’t want to.

@PenfoldPenny

I think non mask wearers should be seen separately to mask wearers tbh. Im exempt but always wear one when indoors.

You're not exempt.

@titchy

If they're a non mask wearer for reasons of disability, then offering a separate session in an empty salon would be a reasonable adjustment I'd have thought.

The reasonable adjustment for disabled people is the exemption.

@emilyfrost

Of course they can. No business has to accept any customer they don’t want to.

“No business has to accept any customer they don’t want to” is just not true. Businesses cannot turn customers away for reasons that are discriminatory, for example disability, race, sexuality, sex.

@emilyfrost

Of course they can. No business has to accept any customer they don’t want to.

True - as long as they're not breaking discrimination laws by doing so. Barring someone because of a health condition which makes them unable to wear a face covering is doing exactly that.