Hong Kong to ban protesters from wearing masks
Colonial-era emergency powers would give executive sweeping powers to restrict communication and movement

Hong Kong’s embattled government is set to invoke colonial-era emergency power to prohibit protesters from wearing masks, as part of a broader crackdown on communications and movement.
According to the South China Morning Post, unnamed sources said that the government would invoke emergency laws that allow it to quickly ban face masks in protests as early as today.
Demonstrations, which started in June over plans to introduce an extradition bill that would have allowed Beijing to try dissidents and critics on the mainland, has spiralled into a full-blown crisis for Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed administration, with demonstrators now demanding the resignation of chief executive Carrie Lam and free and fair elections.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The stand-off between pro-democracy demonstrators and authorities turned violent this week after a police officer shot a protester in the chest with a live round.
Further protests are planned for this weekend, and if Lam invokes the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, which was introduced in 1922 by the British but has not be used for 50 years, “it will grant her sweeping powers, including restrictions on communication and movement” says The Times.
It would also include a ban on wearing face masks as public gatherings. NPR reports protesters “regularly wear a range of face masks in Hong Kong, from Guy Fawkes masks to thin surgical-style coverings and respirator-equipped face masks — which have the dual benefit of combating tear gas fired by police and obscuring the demonstrators' identities”.
Whether the law can be enforced remains to be seen. “There are many questions about how this ban would affect the protests” says the BBC’s Martin Yip. “It is also unclear how the overstretched police would carry it out.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Times says the ban “is certain to enrage protesters, especially frontline demonstrators, who do not want their families or employers to know about their role in the movement, which has polarised Hong Kong society”.
The Civil Human Rights Front, which has organised a few peaceful “mega-marches" over the last four months, has argued the police should, in fact, be the first to be banned from wearing masks, which would mean officers could be held accountable for any abuse of power.
-
October 1 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Wednesday's political cartoons include Pete Hegseth's warrior ethos, taxes in a shutdown, and the battle of Portland
-
‘Friendflation’: the increasing cost of maintaining a social life
Under the Radar Cost-of-living squeeze has left some feeling priced out of social events and struggling to keep up friendships
-
What’s behind Europe’s sharp drop in illegal migration?
Today's Big Question Fall in migrant crossings won’t head off tougher immigration clampdowns
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations