Mandatory face masks on flights

ConsumerPSW

Does anyone have any information regarding wearing face masks on flights?
We've got flights booked for August which if they go ahead I'm worried about the mandatory use of face masks.  I can't wear face masks, it's not that I don't want to wear one or I feel that I have a right not to wear one, but a medical reason.  I understand and agree with wearing them but as I can't I've accepted that I won't be able to do things which requires the need.  Does anyone know where I would stand if I would have to cancel/rearrange flights?

Caz3121

ConsumerPSW said:

Does anyone know where I would stand if I would have to cancel/rearrange flights?

it would depend on the fare rules of the ticket and whether the airline is offering any waivers for your time of travel. You may be able to change your flight details for change fee plus fare difference or, if waiver in place, possibly fare difference only.
If your medical condition was declared to your travel insurance and accepted you may want to speak to them re what happens if you are unable to travel.

bradders1983

ConsumerPSW said:

Does anyone have any information regarding wearing face masks on flights?
We've got flights booked for August which if they go ahead I'm worried about the mandatory use of face masks.  I can't wear face masks, it's not that I don't want to wear one or I feel that I have a right not to wear one, but a medical reason.  I understand and agree with wearing them but as I can't I've accepted that I won't be able to do things which requires the need.  Does anyone know where I would stand if I would have to cancel/rearrange flights?

There are certain exemptions.

ConsumerPSW

Do you know what these exemptions are? Not that I would really want to travel without a mask 🤪 catch 22.

It's just so frustrating as you can never get through with anybody to discuss options.

Penelopa.Pitstop

Which airline are you flying, because I don't think all of them enforce face mask and if you have medical condition, they should accept it withouth certificate from GP. Or you may request certificate.

unforeseen

It is mandatory for all airline services in England and Scotland
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-air-travel-guidance-for-passengers

ConsumerPSW

Penelopa.Pitstop said:

Which airline are you flying, because I don't think all of them enforce face mask and if you have medical condition, they should accept it withouth certificate from GP. Or you may request certificate.

Easyjet, Ryanair and Virgin.  Virgin are going to get back to me, I haven't even been able to get in contact with the other two.

bradders1983

ConsumerPSW said:

Do you know what these exemptions are? Not that I would really want to travel without a mask 🤪 catch 22.

It's just so frustrating as you can never get through with anybody to discuss options.

The rules don’t apply to children under the age of 11 and disabled people or those with health conditions when there is a ‘reasonable excuse‘ not to. This includes:

• where you cannot put on, wear, or remove a face covering:
  • without severe distress
  • because of any physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability (within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010)
• where you are travelling with, or providing assistance to, another person who relies on lip-reading to communicate
• to eat or drink where it is reasonably necessary to do so
• where you have to remove your face covering to take medication

To put this into context, exemptions apply if you have a disability or condition that would make it very difficult to wear a face covering.

For example, if you have respiratory condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, you may find it too difficult to breathe through a face covering.

If you have a learning difficulty, sensory processing disorder or neurodivergent condition, wearing a mask could be too overwhelming.

If you have communication difficulties, speech impairment or find it hard to express yourself with a mask on, especially if you are non-verbal, a mask would be difficult.

Mask exemptions also apply if you need to communicate with a deaf person who lip-reads.

This is list is not exhaustive and there will be many other disabilities, including invisible ones, that would make wearing a mask very difficult.

ConsumerPSW

unforeseen said:

It is mandatory for all airline services in England and Scotland
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-air-travel-guidance-for-passengers

This is what Im worried about, although I hope they are willing to be reasonable as this wasn't mandatory at the time of booking.

bradders1983

OP why dont you tell us what the disability is and we can have a discussion about whether it falls into one of the exempt categories.

ConsumerPSW

Mental health, in particular anxiety.  Something I've struggled with for years.  It's nothing new and due to hobbies I've tried and spent a fortune trying different mask over the years, none of which I've been able to wear. I've learned routines  to help, but any face covering increases my anxiety and would definitely lead to a panic attack, which is something I try best to avoid.  Even wearing a face mask for minutes would leave me  scratching and clawing at my neck until I removed it.