Switzerland’s controversial plan to ban face coverings in public places – popularly known as the “burqa ban” – will come into effect on January 1, the government announced today.

The plan, which was narrowly approved in a referendum held by neutral Switzerland and condemned by Muslim associations, was promoted by the same political group that organized a 2009 referendum to ban the construction of new minarets, as reported by Reuters.

The ruling Federal Council said in a statement that it had set the ban to take effect and that anyone violating the measure would face a fine of around 1,000 euros.

The ban does not apply to airplanes or diplomatic and consular missions, while face coverings will be allowed in places of worship or other holy places, the government announced.

Face coverings will still be permitted for health and safety, customs or weather reasons, it added.

It will even be allowed in entertainment or artistic venues as well as advertising, according to the same source.

If such coverings are necessary for personal protection in the exercise of freedom of expression and assembly, they should be allowed provided that the responsible authority has already approved them and that public order is not disturbed, it is pointed out.