Mask exemptions for airlines and Heathrow

elsien

[Deleted User] said:

Have you tried different types of mask? If it's the closeness of the material you can get one that doesn't touch your lips etc.

You may have a hard time convincing a medical professional to sign off on this. Have you considered asking for therapy to help you overcome the phobia?

You have to remember that not wearing a mask may alarm other passengers, and some of them might have a religious exemption from being near an unmasked person. As such you probably need to warn the airline well in advance that you plan to travel unmasked, rather than just turning up with an exemption letter.

A religious exemption from being near am unmasked person? Is that really a thing? 

k3lvc

Air Canada are very clear on their requirements Travel Ready hub | Air Canada

Chatting to a Canadian colleague last week after his return from a trip to London he was challenging about the BA/Heathrow commitment to mask wearing/adherence vs the strict enforcement/checking of Air Canada

Brie

elsien said:

A religious exemption from being near am unmasked person? Is that really a thing? 

I know there have been cases of passengers refusing to let women sit beside them for religious reasons (such temptresses I guess).  Frankly if someone doesn't want to sit near me I'll understand and will be happy to move - as long as the seat is as good as the one I have chosen.  I expect that might lead to a chain reaction of objections though so doubt the airline would do anything.

I do know that Air Canada has been very strict about it all - and I don't mind that - but just wish it was easier for me to be able to get things sorted.  A brother who has been flying inside Canada recently said the cabin crew were wearing outfits similar to biohazard suits (which is fine by me) and people not complying with instructions have been advised they would be arrested when the flights land.  That's why I want to ensure that I've got their sign off prior to flying.

Thrugelmir

How will you cope with impositions at a local level once in Canada? 

emmajones1976

Thrugelmir said:

How will you cope with impositions at a local level once in Canada? 

I assume she is going for a family emergency, and therefore wont be gallivanting around shopping centres and restaurants.

elsien

I'd suggest a passenger declining to sit near a woman for religious reasons needs to reconsider their mode of transport. It's their problem, not mine and I'm only shifting if there's a benefit to me - happy to be upgraded in those circumstances. 

Sorry, going off topic now, but really?

k3lvc

elsien said:

I'd suggest a passenger declining to sit near a woman for religious reasons needs to reconsider their mode of transport. It's their problem, not mine and I'm only shifting if there's a benefit to me - happy to be upgraded in those circumstances. 

Sorry, going off topic now, but really?

In UK/Europe then maybe but whilst far from the norm there are situations certain countries with their national airlines where this still occurs

Brie

@Thrugelmir - the mask exemption form would need to be carried about wherever I go.  So could be shown when entering a hospital or getting on to public transport.  That said I know that some transport has refused access to people even with these so I'll be checking in advance should I need to go anywhere not by private vehicle.

emmajones1976

Brie said:

@Thrugelmir - the mask exemption form would need to be carried about wherever I go.

Would this actually be valid in Canada signed by a foreign doctor? Something to investigate.

ripplyuk

It might be a lot simpler to ask your doctor for something to calm your nerves so that you CAN wear the mask. My GP usually gives me diazepam for situations like this.