Proposed Mask Ban to be Relaxed

A general ban on the use of masks will not be imposed. This is the unanimous view of the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee.

Use of masks by demonstrators would be illegal only if the purpose was to commit acts of violence or damage property.

Penalties for such offences would be either a fine or a maximum of three months' imprisonment.

Government proposals presented to parliament in May called for a complete ban on the use of masks when the purpose was to conceal a person's identity. It also called for a ban on the possession of masks at public gatherings.

A ban on masks was proposed following demonstrations outside Independence Day celebrations at the Presidential Palace.

YLE24