canada covid-19 workplace british-columbia
When can a customer be denied service for not wearing a (COVID) mask, considering medical exceptions?
<p>I work in a retail liquor store. We require customers to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID19. Technically speaking is wearing masks a law, a health order or the store policy as a result of the health order?</p>
<p>A customer asked if we had a mask he could use. We said no. He then argued he had a medical exemption and isn't supposed to be refused service.</p>
<p>My questions are:</p>
<p>Can a customer be denied service or entry for not wearing a mask even if they claim they have a medical exception? Must they prove it with some sort of certificate? Some people have claimed that they do not need to show proof. If the customer is acting in a dishonest manner, for example if I see them wearing a mask before entering the store, does that make a difference? Does the quality of mask or the material it is made of make a difference? Some customers pull their shirt over their face and my coworkers tell them that is alright. I am considering putting in a complaint to the health inspector.</p>
<p>Also can customers remove their masks to use the face unlock feature of their smart phone? Some customers pay with their phones.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/GyxVf.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/GyxVf.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://bchumanrights.ca/mask-poster/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://bchumanrights.ca/mask-poster/</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Technically speaking is wearing masks a law, a health order or the store policy as a result of the health order?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Technically speaking it's a Ministerial Order made under the power delegated to the Minister by the <em>Emergency Program Act</em> R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 111, s. 10.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Can a customer be denied service or entry for not wearing a mask even if they claim they have a medical exception?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No, they cannot. If they claim they have an exemption, then as far as you are concerned, they have an exemption. Refusing service would be illegal discrimination on the basis of disability.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Must they prove it with some sort of certificate?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Some people have claimed that they do not need to show proof.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Those people are right.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>If the customer is acting in a dishonest manner, for example if I see them wearing a mask before entering the store, does that make a difference?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Does the quality of mask or the material it is made of make a difference?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>They must wear a <a href="https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/mo/mo/m0012_2021" rel="nofollow noreferrer">face covering</a>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>&quot;face covering&quot; means either of the following that covers the nose and mouth of a
person:</p>
<p>(a) a medical or non-medical mask;
(b) a tightly woven fabric;</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>Some customers pull their shirt over their face and my coworkers tell them that is alright.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Depends on the shirt: if it is made of &quot;a tightly woven fabric&quot; then it is alright.</p>
