Rod Murray, Ocean Shores
Following recent interactions with some locals and some local businesses, please allow me to provide some facts regarding so-called ‘mask exemptions’ as provided by NSW Health:
‘There is very little exemption.’
‘Possible allowance may be for religious reasons, questions of identity or emergency, situations where visibility of the mouth is required, skin conditions, autism or trauma.’
‘The police may ask to confirm a lawful reason and then make a decision at the time or assign a penalty.’
‘No documentation is available or provided by NSW Health with regard to mask exemptions.’
‘Any shop assistant working without a mask or allegedly “exempt” does not exempt any member of the public entering without a mask.’
‘There are no exemptions for non-residential settings in regard to mask wearing.’
Let’s cut the BS and give a shit about doing the best we can for each other.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
