Some people can’t wear face coverings – Calderdale NHS have provided this helpful guide to whether you are exempt from wearing one and how to communicate this to other people.
In settings where face coverings are required, there are some circumstances, for health, age or equality reasons, where people are not expected to wear face coverings. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering. This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign. (You can download some examples below)
This is a personal choice and is not necessary in law.
Those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this. Written evidence includes exemption cards.
If you would like to print off an exemption card at home, you can use the PDF attachments below.
Exemption Card Downloads/Print-Offs/Phone Badges:
- Calderdale Card (to print) / PDF
- Exemption from face covering badge (for mobile phone) /PDF
- Exemption from face covering badge (to print) / PDF
- Exemption from face covering card (to print) / PDF
- The people that make and supply the sunflower lanyards, that help explain hidden disabilities, have now come up with face covering exemption cards (pictured above). If a medical condition, disability or other issue means you can’t wear a face covering or mask, you can send off for a card that explains it and fits in a standard lanyard, for just 55p. Buy an exemption card online
- There are a number easy-to-print cards available that help communicate to others why you are not wearing a mask:
– Easy Read information, including cards https://www.keepsafe.org.uk/posters
– Arriva buses – easy to print options that you can print off at home.
– You can also obtain a card if you email Arriva on customerservice@arriva.co.uk or call them on 0344800 4411
– First Buses also have some face covering exemption cards that you can print, or put onto your phone to show a driver – view cards - Exemption badge/image for mobile phones
Face Mask & Covering News
Here’s the latest blog from the National Deaf Children’s Society, which looks at their “Keep it clear” campaign, which aims to make sure deaf children aren’t disadvantaged by the use of face coverings in classrooms. Keep it clear campaign update (England) Published Date: 07 …
If you have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering: you do not routinely need to show any written evidence of this you do not need show an exemption card This means that you do not need to seek advice or request a letter from a medical professional about your reason for …- There are some places where you must wear a face covering by law, unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse (see When you do not need to wear a face covering). It’s always worth keeping up to date with this advice, especially as lockdown easing means some changes. In England you must …
Exemption Cards: We continue to run off copies of NHS Calderdale’s special cards. They are intended for use by people who can’t wear face coverings and need to communicate this to shop staff and other people. They come with our own lanyards, which are comfortable and safe to wear. Let …
Government advice on face coverings: When to wear a face covering There are some places where you must wear a face covering by law, unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse (see When you do not need to wear a face covering below). In England you must wear a face covering in the following …- Here’s an interesting article from the BMJ website, which looks at the risks of falls whilst wearing a mask and looks at how best to avoid them, making some really insightful points about how we balance along the way: Slowing down may be safer than looking down Public health experts and …
- If you do need to travel on public transport, then please help protect yourself and others by following these safety guidelines: • Wear a face covering unless exempt and carry hand sanitiser • Maintain social distancing • Pay using contactless or mobile apps • Wash hands before and after travelling …
- You can find out more about this topic on our Face Covering exemptions page. This is the Government’s latest advice on face coverings – the advice explains when to wear a face covering, exemptions from wearing one, and how to make your own face covering. Documents Face coverings: when …
- Thanks to a tip off from one of our members, Teresa, we’ve found a local supplier of lip reading masks. These are obviously a huge help if you are speaking to someone who relies on lip reading. Teresa kindly supplied an image of herself wearing one of the masks. They are sold in a shop called …
- In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be …
- 25/09/2020 In England, you must wear a face covering in the following indoor settings (a list of examples for each is included in the brackets): public transport (aeroplanes, trains, trams and buses) taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and …
- Disability Horizons, the online disability magazine is offering a range of social distancing signs, badges and lanyards. Although these can be made and printed at home (see our face mask hub page for links and ideas), it can be more convenient to purchase them ready-made. Here;s what Disability …
- This is the latest advice from the UK Government on the use of face coverings in Schools. All pupils, in all year groups, will return to education full-time from the beginning of the autumn term. This guidance is intended to support early years and childcare providers, schools, including …
In this BMJ article, Helene-Mari van der Westhuizen and colleagues argue that face coverings should be considered not as medical equipment but as a social practice informed by norms and expectations. Key messages Face coverings used by the public are now widely recommended as source control during …
The Stakeholder Engagement Team at the Government’s Cross-Government Disability Unit have distributed an update about how it has been able to influence around the subject of face coverings, following their listening to the concerns from disability groups. This is the update: We are aware of …- In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances, for health, age or equality reasons, where people are not expected to wear face coverings. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, …
- This is the Government’s advice on how to protect yourself by properly using face coverings: A face covering should: cover your nose and mouth while allowing you to breathe comfortably fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face be secured to the head with ties or ear loops be …
Here’s the latest advice (1 August 2020) from the Government on where and when to wear a face covering in England, including the expansion of places where they need to be word from 8 August onwards. In England, you must wear a face covering by law in the following settings: public transport …- https://youtu.be/rqufK07rNQE Wearing a facemask or face covering is becoming the new normal, but one of the minor problems of the COVID-19 pandemic is fogged-up eyewear. This happens when warm breath escapes from the top of the mask and lands on the cooler surface of the lens. Ceri …
- Ideally, you should wash and reuse cloth face coverings to prevent and reduce waste. Read government guidance on how to make and wear a reusable cloth face covering. Remove PPE carefully, and avoid touching the inside of your face covering. After you remove your PPE or face covering, wash your …
- Wearing a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England is set to become mandatory in England from 24 July. Those who fail to comply with the new rules will face a fine of up to £100. The move will bring England into line with Scotland and other major European nations like Spain, Italy and …
- New face mask rules in the UK mean that everyone must wear a face covering on public transport. But what if that is difficult for you to do because of a disability or health condition? Disability Horizons, the online disability magazine has looked into the whole face covering issue and produced the …
- A Scottish company is manufacturing and selling face masks with a clear panel that makes the wearer’s mouth visible, thus allowing them to communicate with someone who relies on lip-reading. Here’s the company’s description of the product, which you can buy from their online shop. …
- Travel safely during the coronavirus outbreak This update covers the main changes in travel advice coming into force on Monday June 15 2020, with particular emphasis on face coverings, when you have to wear them and what exemptions there are (which include disability in some instances). New Advice …
- This is a paper by the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), which in turn advises the Government on its response to the Coronavirus threat. This paper is therefor influential in the Government’s policies …
- From 15 June, face coverings will be required while using public transport in England. government asks transport operators in England to make wearing face coverings a requirement of using public transport from 15 June to coincide with the next stage of carefully easing restrictions bus, coach, …