27/07/2020
Important information regarding face masks.
We would like to make it very clear. There are certain people who are exempt of wearing masks and from a legal standpoint there is no way to prove they are exempt. You cannot ask for a doctors note if somebody is Asthmatic, or a psychologist report if somebody has Autism. From a business point of view we simply can't offend our customers. And as a customer point of view please don’t put someone else standing in the shop in an awkward position by offending them and asking why they don’t have their mask...
If it's a legal requirement to wear a mask all we can do is politely ask our customers to follow guidelines, but we cannot judge or interrogate.
The exceptions are:
• young children under the age of 11
• not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
• if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
• if you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
• to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
• to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
• to eat or drink, but only if you need to
• to take medication
• if a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering
There are also scenarios when you are permitted to remove a face covering when asked:
• If asked to do so by shop staff for the purpose of age identification
• If speaking with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound. Some may ask you, either verbally or in writing, to remove a covering to help with communication
