Man with ‘intensely itchy’ condition denied entering shop despite mask exemption

A South Australian man says he was denied entry into a retail store for not wearing a face mask despite having and producing a medical exemption.

Mount Gambier farmer Jeremy Butler said he presented staff at a retail store with a doctor’s letter but was turned away.

Mr Butler has suffered from a skin condition known as seborrhoeic dermatitis for more than 30 years.

“It is pretty disappointing, what happened. It is just wrong,” he said.

He said his condition was so severe he had to shave off his hair to “settle down” the inflammation.

Mr Butler said the condition particularly affected his scalp, face and neck.

According to the doctor’s note, Mr Butler has an “intensely itchy” skin condition and is unable to wear a surgical mask when experiencing these symptoms. 

He said he initially went to the shop in question without a doctor’s exemption and was denied entry. He later returned with the doctor’s letter but was again refused entry.

While disheartened by the incident, Mr Butler believed the majority of retailers would accept the written medical exemption.

He said he had played indoor bowls at two different venues and been at other locations where there had been no issues after presenting his written exemption.

“There were also other people who weren’t wearing masks and obviously they have exemptions,” Mr Butler said.

It was ‘horrible’

Mr Butler said he had tried to wear a mask in retail stores but it proved too difficult.

Mr Butler, a livestock producer at Moorak, said he only shopped when needed.

“I visit agricultural stores, the milk depot, I come into town to get food. I don’t do a lot of shopping,” he said.

“I’m just disappointed I couldn’t go into the store and do what I wanted to do.”

Present exemption evidence

Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) executive director of medical services Elaine Pretorius said it was important people with an exemption had evidence.

“There would be few exemptions of not [being able] to wear a mask, and largely around people with … severe lung diseases where the mask limits the breathing,” Dr Pretorius said.

“But there are very few exemptions for both masks as well as vaccines.

According to SA Health, a person is not required to wear a mask if they have a relevant medical condition including problems with their breathing, a serious condition of the face, a disability, or a mental health condition.

Evidence of a relevant medical condition must be produced on request, such as a letter from a GP or medical professional.

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