A ban on face-covering clothing in the southern Swiss canton of Ticino has affected masked football supporters the most. Hardly any wearers of burkas or niqabs, the original targets of the ban, have been fined. In 2013, two-thirds of Ticino’s voters approved an initiative forbidding people to wear clothing that covers the face. Those who did could face a fine of at least CHF100 ($100). The legislation does not specifically mention burkas or Muslims, but states that “nobody in public streets or squares may veil or hide their face”. Hijabs, or headscarves, are allowed. Exceptions to the ban, which came into force in July 2016, were made for health reasons (hospital masks), safety (motorbike helmets), weather (ski masks) or for local festivals (traditional masks). On Tuesday, figures released by the department of justice show that since July 2016 there had been 37 legal proceedings and a few warnings. In the first half of 2018, around ten people were registered after being ...
