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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Jamie Rose & Neil Shaw

Woman escorted out of Sainsbury's by police for refusing to wear mask

A woman was escorted out of a branch of Sainsbury's by police after she refused to wear a mask and couldn't prove that she had a medical exemption.

The woman handed police information she had printed from the internet which she says explains she doesn't have to prove she has a medical exemption.

But officers dismissed the document, told the woman she had been refused service and escorted her from the premises.

The incident involving Kent Police happened at a branch in Dartford, reports KentLive.

Supermarkets brought in tough new rules last week meaning many now have extra security, and almost all demand that people wear a mask or prove they don't have to.

Kent Police recently issued a £200 fine to a Dover man who refused to wear one at his local Morrisons.

The latest incident saw the woman refuse to provide proof of her medical exemption, and repeatedly ask the police officers if they are doctors.

The woman brandishes a piece of paper which she says explains the law on providing proof.

A police officer told the woman she doesn't need to see something she has printed out at home, and the officers explained the store manager does not want to serve her, before marching her out of the supermarket.

The woman said that she is being discriminated against, that the officers are liable of a fine of up to £9,000, and that she will be taking them to court.

The gov.uk website says police can take measures if members of the public do not comply with the face covering law without a valid exemption”.

However on the same page it also says those with an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering do not “routinely need to show any written evidence of this”.

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