Hong Kong high court refuses to grant injunction over mask ban

The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Sunday refused to grant an interim injunction to the government's newly-released anti-mask law.

At 10am local time, the High Court began the first round of argument. After hearing from both sides, the judge, the Hon Mr. Justice Lam, decided not to give the injunction order to the face mask ban and a written judgment will be delivered on October 8.

However, the High Court will begin the judicial review of the anti-mask law in the latter half of October.

On Friday, the court dismissed a similar application to halt the anti-mask law which was established in the latest drive to end the prolonged violence.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced Friday afternoon that the HKSAR government has invoked the power under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance and made the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation to "create a deterrent effect against masked, violent protesters and rioters."

In a joint statement issued after the announcement, 40 members of the HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo) said they support the HKSAR government in taking effective measures to help with law enforcement and to end violence and chaos in Hong Kong.

Many of Hong Kong's social and political groups, chambers of commerce, and prominent law experts also voiced support for the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation.