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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:
Liliolla · 09/05/2021 13:01

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UsedUpUsername · 09/05/2021 13:10

@BittyBatHats

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.
All those viral videos of toddlers getting tossed off planes in America suggests otherwise
Y0YO · 09/05/2021 13:20

No-one has to prove they're exempt. I don't know the legalities of individual businesses but I'd imagine they're on shaky ground regarding discrimination.
I'm not on social media but I gather it can be a useful tool for getting the attention of poor businesses.

BittyBatHats · 09/05/2021 13:45

@UsedUpUsername Thats because they're over 2. If they're over 2 they need a mask on.

Mrsjayy · 09/05/2021 13:52

Mrsjayy these rules were not in place when the passes were brought in December. They are new for this reopening.

Fair enough I can see the frustration then if it has just been introduced.

UsedUpUsername · 09/05/2021 13:59

[quote BittyBatHats]@UsedUpUsername Thats because they're over 2. If they're over 2 they need a mask on. [/quote]
Yeah so obviously a lot of children do not ‘do fine’ and parents need to push back on these draconian rules that is really just more security theatre

wintertravel1980 · 09/05/2021 14:16

If one country (in this particular case - US) decides to completely ignore WHO advice and issue pointless and idiotic rules (requirements to mask children over 2), it does not mean that private businesses in other countries with very different health guidelines can follow the suit without being challenged.

I would ask how their rules reconcile with the WHO guidelines:

www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-children-and-masks-related-to-covid-19

Children aged 5 years and under should not be required to wear masks. This is based on the safety and overall interest of the child and the capacity to appropriately use a mask with minimal assistance.

Becstar90 · 09/05/2021 14:21

That is ridiculous. I would not be able to keep a mask on my 3 and a half year old. When we had mask restrictions and had to wear them when we left our house, no child under 12 had to wear them.

Imnothereforthedrama · 09/05/2021 14:30

Last summer we went to Blackpool pleasure beach . Ds has autism we requested a priority pass for him and to do that you have to show proof of disability which we did. Dc doesn’t wear a mask as exempt . nothing was mentioned getting tickets and going through security entrance . Was told on one ride why not wearing a mask and that we needed to get a pass . I wasn’t going to go back to reception at the front of the park and told her so , I just told her he’s exempt and not aware of a pass requirement for masks , her whole attitude was disgusting. I did complain afterwards online only because the rules are you don’t need to show proof and if you are not aware of such a rule exists to get a pass how do you know if they don’t tell you .
Are you supposed to ask every place you go and say do I need to get a special pass off you ? .
Was ridiculous proof of disability was shown on entrance.
It’s put me off taking ds anywhere so I can’t wait for the mask rule to end for that reason .

Lockdownbear · 09/05/2021 15:34

@BittyBatHats

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.
Well super for your dear 2yo. Plenty of other 2, 3, 4 and probably 5 years will not tolerate having their faces covered.

Even cultures which have a long standing tradition of face covering don't expect young children to cover their faces.

A bit of sympathy would go a long way.

Lockdownbear · 09/05/2021 15:36

And the kids who can't stand it will be hidden out if sight and mind.

I can well imagine the hygiene of LOs chewing and sucking masks etc.

HesterShaw1 · 09/05/2021 15:42

I don't understand why anyone would consider visiting them Confused

bellamountain · 09/05/2021 15:49

My family are in Texas in the US and even the adults aren't wearing masks now so it's not true the whole of the US makes kids wear them. I would refuse to visit any attractions which make kids wear them.

wintertravel1980 · 09/05/2021 17:31

...so it's not true the whole of the US makes kids wear them.

No, thankfully not, but it is the official CDC advice and is also the federal law that applies on federal premises/in federal settings. For instance, all children 2 years and older have to wear masks on flights to the US (irrespective of the airline).

Many parents (even in blue states) think it is an absolute madness but, unfortunately, masks in the US got too politicised and appear to have turned into a talisman/fetish rather than a public health tool.

BritWifeinUSA · 09/05/2021 17:39

@BittyBatHats

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.
Not all kids. Our state only requires masks indoors. Not outdoors. That’s for adults and children.
Thewiseoneincognito · 09/05/2021 17:40

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Ohnomoreno · 09/05/2021 17:41

Places will only stop implementing additional bullshit rules like this if they find no customers willing to come to their venue. Write, complain, ask for a refund as it's not what you were originally promised and is not related to government mandates.

BritWifeinUSA · 09/05/2021 17:42

@wintertravel1980

If one country (in this particular case - US) decides to completely ignore WHO advice and issue pointless and idiotic rules (requirements to mask children over 2), it does not mean that private businesses in other countries with very different health guidelines can follow the suit without being challenged.

I would ask how their rules reconcile with the WHO guidelines:

www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-children-and-masks-related-to-covid-19

Children aged 5 years and under should not be required to wear masks. This is based on the safety and overall interest of the child and the capacity to appropriately use a mask with minimal assistance.

Thank goodness the US is made of 50 different states with 50 different governors who implement their own policies for that particular state. There is no such thing as “the US rule for masks” except on federal property. Everywhere else it’s up to the governor of the individual state. And some of them are doing a better job than others.
sundaylunday · 09/05/2021 17:57

@Thewiseoneincognito

Surely if you can’t comply you should stay away? If I was a fellow guest and others weren’t following the directive set out prior to entry I’d be livid. I wouldn’t want to be near anyone like that especially if I’m a paying customer. Stay away and let those who can wear masks have a stress free time.
What a lovely ableist attitude you have.
Villanelle17 · 09/05/2021 20:34

@Thewiseoneincognito

Surely if you can’t comply you should stay away? If I was a fellow guest and others weren’t following the directive set out prior to entry I’d be livid. I wouldn’t want to be near anyone like that especially if I’m a paying customer. Stay away and let those who can wear masks have a stress free time.
Hmm wow! Not everyone can wear a mask. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to go places. Maybe you should not go out of you can't cope with being near people not wearing a mask. Try having a lung condition. You're lucky you can wear one!
flashylamp · 09/05/2021 20:37

@Thewiseoneincognito

Surely if you can’t comply you should stay away? If I was a fellow guest and others weren’t following the directive set out prior to entry I’d be livid. I wouldn’t want to be near anyone like that especially if I’m a paying customer. Stay away and let those who can wear masks have a stress free time.

Jesus Christ Sad

When does it end? I'm so sick and tired of people with disabilities being told they should stay at fucking home. Why don't you stay at home if you are not happy? What makes you so bloody special Hmm

confuseddotcom090 · 09/05/2021 20:46

Let their shitty business fail. Demand your money back.

There is no convincing evidence for the efficacy of masks. It's presumption and fear that drives their use.

HermioneWeasley · 09/05/2021 20:50

If this is UK, no organisations are permitted to ask for proof of exemption - its disability discrimination.

ChocOrange1 · 10/05/2021 08:17

Is it Monkey World OP? They are being ultra-cautious because their ill and elderly apes are susceptible to covid. You would never get within 2m (or even 5m) of any apes but I think its to reduce the likelihood of the keepers getting it from you and passing it on - although surely the keepers are all vaccinated now.

I would definitely be asking for money back on the season tickets, if it wasn't clear at the time of purchase. However, if it is Monkey world, they have had the mask rules in place (for children too) since August last year.

AHobbyaweek · 10/05/2021 08:22

If it is London or whipsnade zoo then the children over 3 only had to wear masks in inside places.
We went to London zoo and only inside the gorilla house and in one tiny bit of the lion enclosure. You could still see the gorillas and lions outside so not going in that little bit wouldn't miss much.
Also not all of the lion house was mask, only where it was more enclosed.
It was very easy to avoid those bits if you wanted.