Petition · past parliament · Department of Health and Social Care

Make displaying a “face covering exempt” sign mandatory, for the rightly exempt

Closed 325 signatures

What the petition asks

There are places where face coverings are required eg public transport /shops. Some people are rightly exempt. There is no obligation to display a sign saying that that person is exempt however. This makes it difficult to ask someone to wear a face-covering without fear of causing offence.
Over 1,000 people have died of coronavirus on 20 January alone. Many of us may be vulnerable, unable to avoid entering a shop or travelling on public transport. Those who should and can wear a face covering must, and those who cannot, should feel no shame in displaying a recognised sign. If they can register to self-certify for one (or face a fine), a widely available, free of charge sign will avoid those rightly exempt from feeling judged, promote good practice, help enforcement and avoid deaths.

Timeline

9 Feb 2021 Petition opened for signatures
9 Aug 2021 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 325
Status Closed
Department Department of Health and Social Care
Opened 9 Feb 2021
Closed 9 Aug 2021

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

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