Anti-mask law
For example, the Georgia Supreme Court found the law constitutional on the grounds that the wearing of the mask was an act of intimidation and a threat of violence, which is not protected speech.
[9] New York State's anti-mask law was enacted in 1845, to provide for public safety after disputes between landlords and tenants.
Nassau County implemented its current anti-mask law in August 2024 although there are exception for health and religious reasons.
[10][11] The present table provides a non-exhaustive overview comparing legal restrictions of face coverings in European states.
[16] A Belgian law adopted in June 2011 prohibits appearing in public "with a face masked or hidden, in whole or in part, in such a way as to be unidentifiable".
[17] Wearing masks or other objects that cover the face in a way where identification is prevented during assemblies in a public place is illegal in Denmark.
[19] The French ban on face covering is an act of parliament passed by the Senate of France on 14 September 2010, resulting in the ban on the wearing of face-covering headgear, including masks, helmets, balaclava, niqābs and other veils covering the face in public places, except under specified circumstances.
[23] In Latvia, a law issued in 2016 to ban niqab and burqa in entire country was passed by Latvian parliament.
The law is called Instelling van een gedeeltelijk verbod op het dragen van gezichtsbedekkende kleding in het onderwijs, het openbaar vervoer, overheidsgebouwen en de zorg (Wet gedeeltelijk verbod gezichtsbedekkende kleding) ("Introduction of a partial ban on the wearing of face-covering clothing in education, public transport, governmental buildings and healthcare (Partial Face-Covering Clothing Ban Act)").
[35][36] According to the November 2013 Citizens' Security Law (Ley mordaza [es]), demonstration protesters who cover their faces may be fined up to €30,000.
[30] In the cantons of Basel-Stadt (1990), Zurich (1995), Bern (1999), Lucerne (2004), Thurgau (2004), Solothurn (2006) and St. Gallen (2009), there are laws banning use of masks [1] .
[citation needed] In a referendum on 7 March 2021, Swiss voters approved a nationwide ban on face concealment, with over 51% of the electorate supporting it.
Motorcycle riders wearing full face helmets are generally required to remove them when entering a bank.
[47] Anyone who wears a mask at a lawful rally or march, unlawful or unauthorised assembly, or during a riot could be sentenced to up to a year in jail and a fine of HK$25,000.
Exemptions include those at protests wearing masks for professional or paid work, or for religious or medical reasons.
In addition, the law states that anyone who disobeys a police order to remove a mask could be sentenced to six months in jail and a HK$10,000 fine.
"[50] On 18 November 2019, the High Court ruled s3(1)(b), (c), (d) and s5 of the PFCR failed the proportionality test as they placed restrictions on fundamental rights beyond intended goals.
In view of the great public importance of the issues raised in this case, and the highly exceptional circumstances that Hong Kong is currently facing, we consider it right that we should grant a short interim suspension order so that the respondents may have an opportunity to apply to the Court of Appeal, if so advised, for such interim relief as may be appropriate.
Accordingly, we shall grant an interim temporary suspension order to postpone the coming into operation of the declarations of invalidity for a period of 7 days up to the end of 29 November 2019, with liberty to apply.
