The cantonal parliament of St Gallen on Tuesday voted in favour of introducing a ban on covering the face in public, under certain conditions.
The bill was approved by 57 votes to 55 in its second reading, reported news agency ATS.
The new rule bans anyone from covering their face in public if they present a security risk or threaten social or religious peace, a condition that will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
That could include women wearing the burqa and people covering their faces during demonstrations or protests or for criminal intent.
The bill also passed in its first reading in September, when opponents slammed the move, saying it was superfluous and unsuitable.
Writing in the St Gallen Tagblatt at the time, editor Andri Rostetter criticized the law's implication that the authorities must make an “instant assessment” as to whether a person who covers their face is a threat. [The Local] Read more
