Who do I escalate this to?

Jeremy535897

See https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/discrimination-in-the-provision-of-goods-and-services/discrimination-in-the-provision-of-goods-and-services1/goods-and-services-what-are-the-different-types-of-discrimination/direct-discrimination-in-the-provision-of-goods-and-services/

Martin_the_Unjust

Jeremy535897 said:

See https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/discrimination-in-the-provision-of-goods-and-services/discrimination-in-the-provision-of-goods-and-services1/goods-and-services-what-are-the-different-types-of-discrimination/direct-discrimination-in-the-provision-of-goods-and-services/

Nothing on there about face masks or lack of them.

jimi_man

mobilejo said:

mattyprice4004 said:

A shop can refuse entry for any reason, 

No it can't.
If a business refuses to serve a customer on discriminatory grounds, it is illegal. That is extremely basic law - Equality Act 2010.
Try running a shop with an enforced "no black people" policy and see how that works out for you.

I think what he means is that a shop can refuse entry to anyone without having to specify a reason. If they introduce a policy which breaches equality/discrimination laws then they need to have some objective justification for doing so - which I explained above. 

But ultimately a shop is private property and customers are allowed in with the express or implied permission from the shop. This can be withdrawn, the same as in your house. 

The issue of refusing people in without masks is a complex one, because it’s being done on the basis of Health and Safety which is a reasonable justification. Until it’s tested in court then it’s difficult to say. 

unforeseen

 it's not unusual to be under 92% after a short while of wearing one. 

Oh joy.
I have COPD (on top of my other ailments) and 92% is a good level for me WITHOUT a mask (currently at 90 and that's after the medication) . I have no problems wearing one either. Longest that I've had to wear one is 5 hours. 
Masks DO NOT reduce air intake. 

tooldle

unforeseen said:

 it's not unusual to be under 92% after a short while of wearing one. 

Oh joy.
I have COPD (on top of my other ailments) and 92% is a good level for me WITHOUT a mask (currently at 90 and that's after the medication) . I have no problems wearing one either. Longest that I've had to wear one is 5 hours. 
Masks DO NOT reduce air intake. 

Thank you for this, I can add the following. I have Bronchiectasis and take daily medication. I also have no difficulties in wearing a facemask, and no difference is noted in my blood oxygen levels (I use a tracker).

Polarpenguin

NinjaTune said:

I think you are muddying the waters a bit - this is a public health issue.  Being black/Hindu/gay (or all 3) in a shop does not pose a potential health risk to other customers.

I'll be interested to see what Rethink recommend in terms of taking this further.  I hope there's no 'compo culture' aspect to what they advise.  I know a few people who were perfectly okay wearing a mask but once they found out they could get medical exemption they stopped wearing one. I accept there are some people who genuinely can't wear a mask but there are also others who simply don't want to and are playing the system.

BIB This so much. At work the other day a man spent 5 mins arguing that he had forgotten his mask and didn't like that we asked him to  go get one.
Suddenly, he has a light bulb moment and get's this smug look on his face before he say's "I'm exempt and you can't ask why".
He eventually left and came back less than 5 mins later wearing.
Yes there are plenty people who genuinely can't wear a mask but far too many who are taking advantage of the fear of offending people and not asking. Though, my biggest bug bear is those people who only wear masks if they may get asked, but have them under their chins at the earliest opportunity, though they should still be wearing it.

SingleSue

unforeseen said:

 it's not unusual to be under 92% after a short while of wearing one. 

Oh joy.
I have COPD (on top of my other ailments) and 92% is a good level for me WITHOUT a mask (currently at 90 and that's after the medication) . I have no problems wearing one either. Longest that I've had to wear one is 5 hours. 
Masks DO NOT reduce air intake. 

tooldle said:

unforeseen said:

 it's not unusual to be under 92% after a short while of wearing one. 

Oh joy.
I have COPD (on top of my other ailments) and 92% is a good level for me WITHOUT a mask (currently at 90 and that's after the medication) . I have no problems wearing one either. Longest that I've had to wear one is 5 hours. 
Masks DO NOT reduce air intake. 

Thank you for this, I can add the following. I have Bronchiectasis and take daily medication. I also have no difficulties in wearing a facemask, and no difference is noted in my blood oxygen levels (I use a tracker).

Just to reiterate (as I am the one who originally posted regarding O2 levels), I DO wear a mask and in fact was wearing one even before the first lockdown as it seemed a sensible thing to do and have continued to do so.

As for my O2, no idea why mine plunge when I wear a mask but mine are also monitored (and they also tested the response in hospital and advised me not to wear one) but they just do. It doesn't stop me wearing a mask, I do not use the exemption, I would feel naked and vulnerable going out and about without one.

od244051

Shops do have the rights to refuse entry for people. People have been banned from shops for theft, abuse to shop staff etc.

unforeseen

If people want to try to stretch the equality act to cover mask wearing then it seems appropriate that people not wearing masks be banned from shops for endangering staff ond other shoppers. It's a very valid reason and one shops can use now. 

wannabe_a_saver

Barny1979 said:

mobilejo said:

mattyprice4004 said:

A shop can refuse entry for any reason, 

No it can't.
If a business refuses to serve a customer on discriminatory grounds, it is illegal. That is extremely basic law - Equality Act 2010.
Try running a shop with an enforced "no black people" policy and see how that works out for you.

What if it refuses entry to "Karens"?

Discrimination on grounds of sex/gender, both illegal.