As we move toward the Governments implementation date of making mask-wearing compulsory we are facing more demand from Card holders who have issues with wearing face coverings and looking to evidence this.
We have now introduced a new symbol to temporarily add to an Access Card but will only be doing so where we have seen explicit evidence from a medical professional stating that an exemption is required. For existing Card holders this can be added for a standard £5 reprint fee by completing this form:
We will be looking to clarify the following two points in the Government guidance around exemptions:
- if you have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering
- if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress
For all new Access Card applicaions please submit the additional evidence as part of the application and explain the issues with wearing a mask in the ‘Anything Else’ section.
Whilst we don’t necessarily agree with or endorse any ‘off the shelf’ schemes with no verfification of needs we have pooled together a number of free resources you may want to look at:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-face-coverings
