A ban on full-face coverings, which includes Muslim veils such as those worn in burkas, comes into force in Austria today as anti-immigration parties look poised to win national elections later this month.

The new law states that faces must be visible from hairline to chin in public places and includes off-slope ski masks and surgical masks outside of hospitals.

Austrian police are allowed to use force to make people show their face and can impose fines of €150 (£132).

Austria’s ban comes after France and Belgium bans in 2011 and the Dutch parliament also debating a similar law.