Does a person with dementia have to wear a face covering?

At present, in England, individuals must wear a face covering in a number indoor settings such as on public transport, shops, supermarkets, libraries and places of workshop.

That being said, the government guidance outlines a number of circumstances where a person is exempt from wearing a face covering. This includes:

• People who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
• Where putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause severe distress
• If you are speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate

A person may also remove a face covering temporarily while they are in public to eat, drink or take medication.

If someone you care for has dementia and finds it difficult to wear a face covering then they are seen as having a ‘reasonable excuse’ not to wear one.