Since the arrest of a Shellharbour cafe owner on Monday, the Illawarra Mercury has sought clarity on medical exemptions for masks - NSW Health, NSW Police, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Police Minister David Elliott have all been unable to answer the following questions.
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Under what circumstances could someone lawfully refuse a police direction to put on a mask?
How do police know whether someone refusing to wear a mask has a legitimate medical condition?
How can someone with a medical exemption prove that to police?
Why doesn't the Public Health Order provide specific guidance for people with medical exemptions?
Does this loophole clog up the courts with fines that can't be proven?
The Premier's office referred the questions to NSW Police and NSW Health. NSW Police referred questions to NSW Health.
NSW Health said: "If someone has a medical condition which prevents them wearing a mask, having documentary evidence available, such as a letter from a registered health practitioner, will assist assuring that the person is complying."
Earlier in the week, Kiama MP Gareth Ward slammed the Police Minister for being unable to provide the community with lawful mask exemption guidelines.
The Mercury will happily report any responses at a later date, should they be forthcoming.
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