Morrisons staff call cops after maskless disabled shopper refuses to wear 'yellow sticker' proving he's exempt
MORRISONS staff have sparked fury after threatening to call police when a disabled customer refused to wear a yellow sticker so he could shop without a face mask.
The supermarket giant has launched an investigation after footage showed a security guard telling the shopper he would need to wear a sticker to identify himself as someone with a face mask exemption.
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Face masks are mandatory in supermarkets in England and Wales but shoppers with certain disabilities and physical or mental conditions are exempt.
Exemption cards or badges are available but are not required by law.
Footage shared on social media shows staff telling the shopper – who says he has a 'medical exemption' – that 'new Morrisons policy' requires him to wear a sticker to reassure other shoppers.
Another staff member says she is going to call police as the shopper refuses to accept the sticker.
The security guard says: "It's new Morrisons policy we're rolling out that everyone has to wear a mask or [with] an exemption letter you wear a sticker.
"It's more to explain to the other people in the store that you are exempt and that's why you haven't got a mask on."
The shopper replies: "I shouldn't need to explain to other people, I've got a medical exemption that should be enough.
"I shouldn't have to declare my medical exemption that's a Discrimination Act thing.
"If they ask me , I can tell them, I'm perfectly capable of communicating myself to them."
Morrisons has now launched an investigation and said there is no policy requiring people exempt for wearing face masks to wear stickers.
A spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that this is very much an isolated incident and not Morrisons policy.
Who is exempt from wearing face masks?
Government guidance states the following groups do not have to wear face masks in shops or on public transport.
- Children under the age of 11.
- People who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability.
- People who have removed masks in order to eat or drink or take medication.
- If you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate.
- Police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public.
"We're following government guidelines to keep our colleagues and customers safe.
"Customers can inform our store colleagues when entering the store that they are medically exempt and to those customers that would like to take one, we offer a Sunflower Lanyard.
"This is so that colleagues and customers inside the store are aware that the customer is medically exempt. We are currently investigating this matter."
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