Bridges Medical Practice

Trinity Square Health Centre
24 West Street
Gateshead, NE8 1AD
☎ 0191 300 9889
NGCCG.BridgesMedicalPractice@nhs.net

To Whom It May Concern,

Covid-19 – The compulsory wearing of face covering in shops
 
The introduction of the requirement for people to wear face covering in shops is intended to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

There are certain groups of people who are exempt from this requirement and they include:
•	children under the age of 11,
•	people with disabilities 
•	those with breathing difficulties or
•	those who are travelling with someone who relies on lip reading.
These groups of people, their parents or guardians are able to indicate the reason, if required, as to why they are not wearing a face covering.

General practice is under considerable pressure as a direct result of the current challenges they are faced with delivering a service to patients at the same time as coping with the consequences of coronavirus. 
 
There is no requirement for general practice to issue letters for patients who are unable to wear face coverings, as the Government have clearly defined the exemptions to this requirement. 

General practice needs to focus all its time and effort managing those who need their help and not be diverted from this by unnecessary tasks therefore we will not be issuing exemption letters.

Many thanks for your help and support in this matter.

Bridges Medical Practice