Wearing a face covering to help reduce the spread of coronavirus is now a compulsory requirement in shops and when using public transport in England, but there are some exemptions that may be helpful for autistic people who find it hard to use a mask.
The official guidance says that children aged under 11 and people who find it difficult due to a disability will not need to wear a mask, these include
- 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 mask will cause you severe distress.
To help autistic people when they are out and about, University of Reading graphic communication graduate Eden Sinclair has designed a Face Covering Exemption Card for us that you can print out and show when you are shopping or using a bus or train, if anyone asks why you do not have a mask on.
Click here to download the Face Covering Exemption Card.
- For the full Government guidance about using face coverings, click here. This page also has links to the regulations about using face masks that apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland if you are planning to visit other parts of the UK for a holiday in the next few weeks.
