CONCERNS have been raised about borough residents pretending to be exempt from wearing face masks.

Councillor Dale Birch, Bracknell Forest Council’s health chief, said he was worried people were flouting mask rules by inaccurately claiming they had legitimate reasons not be wearing face coverings.

He even suggested people are buying fake exemption notes online to get around wearing masks.

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Speaking at a meeting of the council’s outbreak engagement board, he said: “I’ve experienced people who don’t wear masks in shops and public places and who when challenged say they have an exemption.

“But when you ask for proof, it’s not always forthcoming.

“I noticed these charity-based exemption cards are being sold on eBay.”

He added: “It’s very disconcerting for members of the public who are observing face-mask wearing.

“It’s quite worrying.”

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The councillor asked officers if they could make representations to the government about this issue so “we don’t just have people with scruffy bits of paper walking around claiming they are exempt”.

Philip Cook, manager at Involve Community Services for Bracknell Forest, said voluntary organisations and charities like his were actively supporting people with learning disabilities who are exempt, as well as those who have hearing problems.

He said: “People selling these passes on eBay is ridiculous because you can just download them from the government website. They’re perfectly accessible.

“I do know services locally are trying to give their users accurate and appropriate advice.

“But that doesn’t stop Joe Public getting a piece of paper.

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“Locally I know charities are doing what they can but beyond that, I don’t know what else can be expected.”

Bracknell Forest Council’s chief executive Timothy Wheadon said this was a “national issue” rather than a local one, and suggested local MPs could make representations in Westminster.

The Local Outbreak Engagement Board met on Thursday, October 22.