THE Scottish Government has announced plans to roll out a face covering exemption card “very soon”.
Speaking at yesterday’s coronavirus daily briefing, MSP Jeane Freeman responded to concerns that exempt people felt anxious and “stressed” about not wearing a mask in public.
Many people are not able to wear coverings due to health reasons – with the Health Secretary confirming plans are being drawn up.
When will the card be in place?
Ms Freeman told the briefing they are “working on” the card.
She said: “It’s almost finished, it’s in development and working out how we would distribute that to those who genuinely would qualify for it, without overburdening or GPs or anyone else.
“So, we’re almost completed that exercise so I would hope it would be available to people very soon and that’s important.”
Face coverings are currently mandatory on public transport
What is the card?
An exemption card can be used by people, where reasons with their health make it difficult for them to wear a mask.
The card can be used to identify them as being exempt, therefore taking any potential anxiety over run-ins with unfriendly members of public.
Ms Freeman said: “I am very aware that for some people for whom wearing a face covering is very difficult indeed because of a health condition that they have that there is concern for some about how other people see them and judge them.
“And so we are working on a card that individuals in those circumstances would be able to have.”
Who is exempt from wearing a face covering?
According to the Scottish Government website, there are a number of reasons to be exempt from wearing a face covering.
These include:
- Babies, toddlers and children under 5 years of age.
- People who have a health condition or who are disabled, including hidden disabilities, for example, autism, dementia or a learning disability, or are providing care for someone with a health condition or disability, and a face covering would be inappropriate because it would cause difficulty, pain or severe distress…
