GMCA updates retailers on face covering exemptions

Following concerns raised by Greater Manchester’s Disabled People’s Panel, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have called for retailers to be mindful of the exemptions for many people from face covering regulations. Advice is as follows:

With the government guidance advising the wearing of face coverings, the GM Disabled People’s Panel want to ensure the right advice is in place for your staff, contractors, and customers. We are advising the wearing of face coverings where one can but also that the exemptions are known, respected, and implemented. It is particularly important that all your staff and third party security contractors, who often are the first interface with customers if there are issues, are made aware of the policy guidance.

There are face covering exemption cards which we advise people to use if they feel comfortable, however these are not mandatory and there should not be a requirement that they are presented. For many access reasons some disabled people will not be able to wear a face covering and it is imperative your staff and security personnel understand this.

We ask that you make sure all staff and contractors are made aware of these exemptions and the need to respect reasonable adjustments (per the Equality Act 2010). We absolutely want to ensure everyone’s safety and to minimise negative distress due to miscommunication and lack of awareness and ask that you join us in ensuring disabled people feel safe using your premises.

Below we include the government official guidance for reference.

You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes (but is not limited to):

• young children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommended face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
• 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 if reasonably necessary
• in order 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 in a bank, building society, or post office for identification
• if asked to do so by shop staff or relevant employees for identification, the purpose of assessing health recommendations, such as a pharmacist, or for age identification purposes including when buying age restricted products such as alcohol
• 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

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

If you have any queries please contact us Panel@gmcdp.com