NZ Gov announces new mask exemption card to remove uncertainty
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Kiwis who have genuine reasons for not being able to wear a face mask can now access a new personalised exemption card by the end of May.
“We know that face masks are a crucial part of our defence against the spread of COVID-19 and using them will continue to help protect loved ones and save lives,” Minister of Education Chris Hipkins said.
“The new process is being introduced to make sure people who have genuine reasons for not being able to wear a mask have more certainty in being able to demonstrate that.”
The new exemption cards will provide evidence that the person is exempt from the requirement to wear a mask, removing the uncertainty that businesses have been dealing with.
“We’ve recognised that for some people an impairment, health conditions, a physical disability or mental health reasons can mean wearing a mask isn’t possible. These reasons aren’t always obvious or easy to explain and that’s left some New Zealanders who’re genuinely unable to wear a mask not being able to access the businesses and services they normally would,” Minister Hipkins said.
“It is also meant for uncomfortable situations, with people needing to explain private health information to strangers when they’re trying to do basic tasks like shopping. We’ve worked hard to find a solution that avoids this.”
The new process, which will allow people who can’t wear a mask to get a personalised card to help them access businesses and services were wearing a mask is required, will be administered by the Ministry of Health.
The exemption card will also help businesses in verifying whether their patrons are genuinely exempt from wearing masks as workers have been experiencing escalating and unsafe behaviours from some customers.
While the exemption cards will be entirely optional, they will be legally recognised as conclusive proof of a person’s exempt status compared to the old cards.
If the person exempted is questioned despite the legitimacy of the new card, the person questioned will be at risk of triggering the duties and obligations under the Human Rights Act that protect disabled people.
“I particularly want to acknowledge the work of organisations such as Blind Citizens New Zealand, the Disabled Persons Assembly, Deaf Aotearoa and other non-government organisations who have administered the mask exemption process previously. Mask wearing remains an important public health measure to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission and keep us all safe,” Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni said.
“It’s important we all understand that for some people wearing a face mask is difficult. This includes people with physical, intellectual or mental health impairments, and people (such as some victims of violent crime) who have experienced past trauma. Those people should still have the same right as others to access goods and services.”
Exempt persons shall continue to have the same rights of access to businesses and services irrespective of their optional use of an exemption card, while businesses still have a right to deny entry to people who are threatening or behaving inappropriately.
Those who fraudulently misuse the exemption cards will be in breach of a COVID-19 Order under the COVID-19 (Public Health Response) Act 2020.
People will be able to apply for a card through the Ministry of Health website, which will be issued to them digitally or by post starting at the end of May.
Source: Beehive.govt.nz
Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.
