Increased fines for no face masks will ramp up pressure on disabled people

Thu,13 August 2020
News

Tougher penalties for those not wearing face coverings in public came into effect today (13 August). 

The new rules will see the £100 fine for a first offence double with every misdemeanour up to a maximum of £3,200.

DR UK CEO Kamran Mallick said: “These moves, while designed to protect us all, will place further pressure on disabled people who are exempt from wearing a face covering.

“Not every disability is visible. We have welcomed the government’s commitment to increasing messaging to make the public aware that not everybody is able to wear a face covering, but we are receiving ever increasing reports of disabled people being aggressively challenged or disbelieved by members of the public when they are not wearing masks.

“Businesses need to join in government’s intention in clearly displaying signs explaining that not everybody is able to wear a face covering.”