Face coverings: a handy guide by Transport for All

Face Coverings. A handy guide for staff and passengers, by Transport for All.

Transport Staff.
Some passengers, eg: deaf or autistic passengers, may find it difficult to communicate with transport staff who are wearing face coverings. If able to, you could remove your face covering for a short period of time to communicate with the passenger. Maintain a minimum 2 metre distance from the passenger while you do so – move back or ask them to move back if you can’t.
If you can't remove your face covering, ask the passenger if there’s anything different you can do to make communication easier – eg: writing information down.

Passengers.
Remember that some people will be exempt from wearing a face covering for various reasons, including medical or disability-related reasons. Not all exemptions are visible or obvious. Remember it is not mandatory for someone who is exempt to carry a sunflower lanyard or other badge.
If you are able to, please ensure you follow the current guidelines for face coverings in your region, to help keep everyone safe.

Exemptions

Disability-related exemptions
Respiratory conditions.
Where this would cause distress, for example for people with cognitive impairments, mental health conditions, or learning difficulties.
Where this would make it difficult to wear hearing aids or a cochlear implant processor securely.

Other reasons include:
Visually impaired people may need to remove their face covering for short periods if this impedes their vision when, for example, looking down to see stairs or steps or if their glasses steam up.
Passengers who are travelling with a deaf passenger may need to remove their face covering whilst communicating if their companion is lip reading or they are using BSL.