TFL face covering exemption
Since 15 June it has been mandatory for passengers over the age of 11 to wear face coverings on public transport in London, as well as in private hire vehicles.
This has resulted in some patients approaching GP practices asking for doctor’s notes to exempt them from the requirement on health grounds, for example if they have asthma. These patients do not need a note from their GP, they should print out the exemption card provided below.
TFL have listed a number of ‘reasonable excuses’ for not wearing a face covering, specifically:
- Where a person cannot put on, wear, or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment or disability (within the meaning of section 6 of the Equality Act 2010), or without severe distress.
- Where a person is providing a lip-reading service to a person they are travelling with.
- Where a person removes their face covering to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to themselves or others.
- Where a person is travelling to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and does not have a face covering with them.
- If it is reasonably necessary for a person to eat and drink, and the person removes their face covering to eat or drink.
- Where a person is required to remove the face covering by a police constable (including a British Transport Police officer) or another authorised person.
Print at home face coverings exemption card
TFL have instructed passengers who believe they are exempt from wearing a face covering for a reason on the above list, to print out one of these exemption cards and display it on their clothing or possibly on a lanyard. It is also acceptable to display it on a mobile phone if you do not have a printer.
Passengers with neither a smartphone or printer should call TFL on 0343 222 1234 and arrange to have a card printed and sent to them.
Download exemption card as JPG.
Download exemption card as PDF.
Last updated : 24 Jun 2020Mword 78: Brace Brace (14 Dec 2020)
Supporting Safe Care in General Practice during Covid-19 - a Londonwide LMCs Living Guide - version 24 updated 16.04.2021 (04 Dec 2020)
Click here to access Londonwide LMCs Living Guide 'Supporting Safe Care in General Practice during Covid-19'.Coronavirus hospital trust information (25 Nov 2020)
The coronavirus pandemic has created many challenges to the healthcare system across England and in London in particular. Coronavirus arrived in the UK in January 2020 and a national lockdown...Send us your picture for our latest social media campaign (25 Nov 2020)
This winter we will be running a social media campaign to highlight that general practice staff are people just like everyone else and patients should consider this before taking out...Send us your picture for our latest social media campaign (25 Nov 2020)
This winter we will be running a social media campaign to highlight that general practice staff are people just like everyone else and patients should consider this before taking out...Tips of the Month November 2020 (25 Nov 2020)
We provide weekly tips based on common queries which come through to us from London GPs and practice teams. These are shared via social media and collated for...Londonwide LMCs' November 2020 Newsletter (25 Nov 2020)
Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.