Face coverings are mandatory in many indoor settings across the UK – but there are exemptions for those who aren’t able to wear one.
If you have a physical health condition that makes it difficult to breathe while wearing a mask – such as asthma – or a disability or mental health issue that means you find wearing a mask distressing, you are exempt from the rules.
Likewise, children under the age of 11 (or five in Scotland) are also exempt.
After disabled people and those with invisible illnesses expressed concerns over being shamed for not wearing face covers, the government has shared an official printable card which people can carry with them, as well as a badge template which can be downloaded here.
Transport for London (TFL) has also launched a “baby on board-style” card that those with underlying conditions can carry.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and Network Rail, told HuffPost UK that rail staff will accept a TFL exemption card outside London, too – and train companies are making exemption cards similar to this available through their own channels.
The TFL card simply says “I am exempt from wearing a face covering”. It can be downloaded and printed off via the TFL website. TFL has tweeted to say there is no need to provide medical proof to use the card (much like there’s no need to provide proof for a baby on board badge).
These are the groups who are not required by law to wear a face covering on public transport and in shops and supermarkets:
Where a person cannot put on, wear, or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment or disability (within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010), or without severe distress
Where a person is providing a lip-reading service to a person they are travelling with
Where a person removes their face covering to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to themselves or others
Where a person is travelling to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and does not have a face covering with them
If it is reasonably necessary for a person to eat and drink, and the person removes their face covering to eat or drink
Where a person is required to remove the face covering by a police constable (including a British Transport Police officer) or another authorised person.
Although the exemption cards will come in handy if you’re stopped by the authorities, it can’t easily be displayed, making it hard to let other passengers know you have a legitimate reason to be without a face mask.
Because of this, some people are buying unofficial badges (or making their own) to publicly display medical conditions.
The Rail Delivery Group says staff have also been made aware of the sunflower lanyard and JAM cards – which pre-existed coronavirus and provide a discreet way to disclose personal information, such as an invisible illness or mental health problem.
Even if you’re eligible and don’t yet have a card, “rail staff have been briefed that not everyone travelling will be able to wear a face covering and be considerate when ensuring people are following the new rules”, the Rail Delivery Group said.