A region of Switzerland has implemented a burka ban which was voted for by the public

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It is now illegal to wear a face veil in public in the Tessin region following the result of a referendum on the issue in 2013, in which 65 per cent voted in favour of a complete ban.

The anti-burka-law, which bans face veils, burkas and the niqab, came into force on July 1 and will be enforced by police in the area.

Michele Bertini, FDP city council and police director in Lugano, sent out leaflets on the issue in Arabic and an 'intercultural mediator' was brought in to train police to deal with the potential fallout.

Anyone caught wearing a veil can be fined up to €9,200 (£7,890).

Of the 350,000 inhabitants in the Italian speaking area about 70 per cent are Roman Catholic and there are barely any Muslim residents.

But it is feared the ban will affect Muslim tourists, who spend each year spend around 40,000 nights in the city of Lugano alone.

The hotel industry makes approximately 19million CHF, or Swiss Franc, a year from tourists from the Middle East.

Ticino Turismo, the tourist information centre, said the wish of the sovereignty would be "respected" but it is feared veiled women will avoid the area altogether.