Portugal enacts 'burqa law' largely prohibiting face coverings in public

Portuguese President António José Seguro has enacted a measure that bans people from covering up their face while in public places, with some exceptions, AFP reported.

The President of the Republic has passed laws which prohibit the use of face-covering garments in public areas, a measure generally known as the “burqa ban” and one which is largely regarded as being aimed at Muslim women who wear full-face veils.

Portugal has enacted a law banning face coverings in public spaces, a measure that has been widely criticised as targeting Muslim women who wear full-face veils.

In Portugal, violators face fines ranging from €150 to €3,000, with exemptions for health, professional, artistic or weather-related reasons, as well as in places of worship, diplomatic missions and on aircraft.