Petition · past parliament

Masks to be preferred not mandatory

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

Remove the mandatory rule for face coverings in non medical places, including but not limited to schools, travel and shops.
The mandatory face covering rule conflicts with human rights. The protection of a few can never be at the cost of restrictions of normal life and function to the many.

It also presents issues of not being able to clearly identify criminals, is a danger to the safety of children at risk of abduction and gives free reign without identification to person who wish to cause harm or break laws.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

You may wish to sign some of these petitions:

Don't make the wearing of face masks compulsory in public places in England: Don't make the wearing of face masks compulsory in public places in England

Make the use of masks on public transport voluntary and not mandatory: Make the use of masks on public transport voluntary and not mandatory

Repeal the decision to implement compulsory face coverings in English shops: Repeal the decision to implement compulsory face coverings in English shops.

Do not make masks mandatory for children in primary or secondary schools in UK: Do not make masks mandatory for children in primary or secondary schools in UK.

Timeline

28 Aug 2020 Petition opened for signatures
4 Sep 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 4 Sep 2020

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.