From Friday 24th July face covering will be required by law in shops , and they are already mandatory on public transport. Failure to wear a covering can result in fine of up to £100.

The Government hasn’t yet published specific exemption rules with regards to shops but has set out ones for public transport these include the following people and circumstances:

• Children under 11
• if you have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering
• if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress
• if you are travelling with, or providing assistance to, someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
• if you are travelling to avoid injury or escape the risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
• if you need to remove it during your journey to avoid harm or injury or the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others
• if you need to eat, drink, or take medication you can remove your face covering
• if you are asked to remove your face covering by a police officer or other official, for example to check your railcard

There is currently no ‘official’ form or process to prove your exemption. Transport for London have produced a flyer that you can download and print out, to show people. Its use seem to be done on trust and will probably be accepted in shops as well as public transport. You can find it by looking at the Transport for London website or click the button below to download. If you do not have a printer or a smartphone, you can contact Transport for London who will print and post a card to you. Call 0343 222 1234.