Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Can attractions insist children wear masks?

69 replies

Thenthatsthatthen · 09/05/2021 08:59

Wanted to meet DSis at an outdoor attraction (involves animals) with her DC but having looked on the website they are insisting anyone over 3 must wear a mask and if you don’t email they with proof of DLA/PIP you have to wear a mask or you’ll be refused entry.

DNephew is 6 and being assessed for ASD/ADHD as we speak, there’s no way we’d be able to keep a mask on him all day. But as he has no official diagnosis the attraction does not consider him exempt.

DSis was given annual passes for this place for Christmas and is facing not being able to use them at all due to this policy. I appreciate they want to keep the animals safe but it seems unfair when the government guidance is still children under 11 are exempt. Does she have any comeback here? Or does she have to except she won’t be able to use the annual pass (they also won’t refund this or extend it to cover they months they’ve been shut).

OP posts:
CoffeeWithCheese · 09/05/2021 10:26

I know a few are trying to and behaving pretty terribly with it... we're voting with our feet and staying well away from them and will remember how they've behaved in post-pandemic years as well.

somuchcoffeeneeded · 09/05/2021 10:29

Their business their rules?

UsedUpUsername · 09/05/2021 10:34

Remember how they treated you. I see toddlers thrown off flights in the US and feel pretty outraged about it. No common sense

Letsgetreadytocrumble · 09/05/2021 10:35

I wouldn't go anywhere where kids had to wear a mask.

Palladin · 09/05/2021 10:36

Does your sister have any official letters or emails that mention the referral? I would contact the venue and explain the situation. There's a good chance they'll be understanding.

Original poster
Thenthatsthatthen · 09/05/2021 10:40

I appreciate their business their rules but it doesn’t seem right that my parents are down the £100+ they spend on annual passes for the attraction as DSis family can’t go. I guess her DH could take the other DC but try explaining that to DNephew. The GP won’t write a medical exemption letter for a child (although according to the website this wouldn’t actually be accepted anyway) and as far as I’m aware not all of the exemptions would entitle someone to DLA/PIP so would those people also be forced to wear masks?

It’s a lovely place but as @CoffeeWithCheese said we will vote with our feet and defiantly won’t be buying annual passes ever again.

OP posts:
Taytotots · 09/05/2021 10:55

Have you tried phoning and talking to them? They may well be able to make a exception. The dla/pip seems weird as surely many people with mobility issues that might get that could wear masks but for other conditions that might prevent it you wouldn't.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 09/05/2021 11:00

We have been to Gullivers world all children over 3 had to wear masks on the rides, you could get a wristband if exempt. Not sure how you prove exemption as most places (shops) have to take your word for it. I think they'd just accept he was exempt without proof because no one really has anything official do they? If the rest of the group is wearing masks then there's no reason to question why 1 child isn't

flashylamp · 09/05/2021 11:03

I appreciate their business their rules but it doesn’t seem right that my parents are down the £100+ they spend on annual passes for the attraction as DSis family can’t go.

Covid has made a mess of things for many. The issue at play here isn't a child not being able to wear a mask.

flashylamp · 09/05/2021 11:05

I have to say though, DLA/PIP is a ridiculous method. Neither of my autistic children get DLA. I don't get PIP. I can wear a mask and one of the DC can, but the other one absolutely will not.

HolmeH · 09/05/2021 11:05

We’ve been to Gullivers also & my 3 year old was never asked to wear a mask 🤷🏼‍♀️ There are several different ones tho.. we are up north.

paralysedbyinertia · 09/05/2021 11:06

I think you should ask them whether they will accept evidence of the ongoing assessment process for your nephew.

Lockdownbear · 09/05/2021 11:07

Scotland its kids over 5. I really can't imagine getting 3 or 4 yos to wear masks.
But their business their rules, personally I'd avoid and have a long memory!

Minkymandy · 09/05/2021 11:08

I would speak directly to the business and explain about dnephew and if I had no joy, I'd sell the annual passes on via facebook/gumtree. You'd lose money, but recoup some of it. I'd then never use the place again.

Mrsjayy · 09/05/2021 11:13

Why don't you email them and discuss it with them.say there is some additional needs and what do they suggest because there is no "proof" . Coronavirus can kill animals it can run rife through collections they are just protecting them.

rooarsome · 09/05/2021 11:51

This is precisely why we haven't been back to Gullivers world in Warrington. My friend went and had an absolute nightmare- her DD is currently going through the pathway and diagnosis for potential ASD. She simply cannot tolerate a mask and my friend has tried different ways to help her cope with one.
GW were entirely unsympathetic (despite saying on the phone previously it should be ok), child had a meltdown trying to wear the mask and in the end they abandoned the day out.
We weren't with them during that visit but we previously met about once a month there.

Frazzled2207 · 09/05/2021 11:54

Their business their rules. I absolutely would not be going there. If would be different if it was government guidance but it isn't.

Frazzled2207 · 09/05/2021 11:56

PS I would be commenting on an open forum (eg facebook, twitter) that your child cannot wear a mask and are they really saying that they can't use their annual pass because of a stipulation that goes against government guidance? Follow it up with a formal letter.

Mrsjayy · 09/05/2021 12:04

Who bought the passes did they not check the park would have had this rule in place at the time .

legosnowqueen · 09/05/2021 12:13

Isn't it about keeping people safe rather than the animals safe?

Mrsjayy · 09/05/2021 12:16

Well it could be a bit of both but if a keeper catches a coronavirus and spreads it to say their monkeys then it can kill them.

Original poster
Thenthatsthatthen · 09/05/2021 12:19

@Mrsjayy these rules were not in place when the passes were brought in December. They are new for this reopening. We went last year post lockdown and only adults had to wear them when indoors (no issues there). Now it’s everyone over 3 at all times except when sitting down to eat/drink. Surely most kids would take an issue with having to wear them on the playground (they have an amazing playground there, one of the kids favourite parts).

DSis did email about DNephew but got in her words a very ‘computer says no’ type response but I’ll tell her to try calling them. My only worry if they would still say no on the door.

The annual passes have their names on them and apparently they ask for ID to match when you go in so I don’t think they could sell them. We will find another zoo type attraction to visit with the kids instead.

OP posts:
Wellbythebloodyhell · 09/05/2021 12:27

@HolmeH

We’ve been to Gullivers also & my 3 year old was never asked to wear a mask 🤷🏼‍♀️ There are several different ones tho.. we are up north.
Warrington maybe it was over 3 years
CoffeeWithCheese · 09/05/2021 12:33

Gullivers have been very much "deal with it - fuck off" on social media over this (yet another reason I will never go there again).

BittyBatHats · 09/05/2021 12:59

In the US all kids over 2 are wearing them for sports/playground and throughout the school day with small breaks. They do just fine. Our 2.5 year old wore hers no problem.