Key Takeaways
- The ban on covering one’s face in public has taken effect in Switzerland, with violators facing fines of up to $1,100.
- The ban does not apply to certain situations, including airplanes, diplomatic or consular premises, and religious sites.
- The ban was passed after a referendum initiated by the Swiss people on March 7, 2021.
Bern: The ban on covering one’s face in public, which was passed in 2021, went into effect in Switzerland on Wednesday.
Violators of the ban could face a fine of 1,000 Swiss francs, or just over $1,100.
On November 6, the Swiss government set a date for a law banning the wearing of face coverings in public. The ban is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, a decision made after a referendum initiated by the Swiss people on March 7, 2021.
The ban does not apply to airplanes, diplomatic or consular premises, religious sites, or in situations where not covering one’s face poses a risk to health or safety or interferes with following local customs.
Violators will be fined 100 francs if they pay immediately or 1000 francs if they refuse to pay on the spot.
