The local parliament in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland, banned the full face covering burqas on Monday. Women flouting the law will be fined up to £6,500.
The law was passed in the wake of the Paris attacks which was followed by a tightening in the security across Europe.
The Italian speaking canton in southern Switzerland has made it a criminal offence to cover the whole face in public spaces like shops, restaurants, public building and even while driving a car. The ban will be applicable to tourists as well. However, masks, balaclavas, and crash helmets are still permitted.
A referendum that was held in September 2013, had two-thirds of the population voting in the favour of the ban.
"Those who want to integrate are welcome irrespective of their religion," said Giorgio Ghiringhelli, who drew up the proposal. He added, "But those who rebuff our values and aim to build a parallel society based on religious laws, and want to place it over our society, are not welcome."
The vote had been criticised by the international human rights organization Amnesty International who called it a "black day for human rights in Ticino."
The Ticino decision comes in the wake of similar laws in France, Belgium and Netherlands, where the law is already in place.
The Swiss Parliament, however, had rejected a nationwide ban on the burqa in 2012, reports The Independent.
There has been a set of mixed reactions to the burqa ban on the internet.
The Ticino region in Switzerland has approved a burqa ban. What a terribly bad idea
— Andy Rowntree (@Andyrowntree) November 25, 2015
MPs in Swiss canton of Ticino back burqa ban https://t.co/BmbJAR5ZR3 #IslamIsTheProblem #WakeUPAmerica #tcot pic.twitter.com/a0XTT7okqw — Sandra ن (@SandraALTX) November 25, 2015
Proud of #Ticino #Switzerland, they approved ban on #burqa. Sorry, but in the West, only criminals cover their faces. We need no confussions
— ✡ Eliana Benador ✡ (@ElianaBenador) September 30, 2013