GENEVA: Veiled women interested in visiting Switzerland must be forewarned that the Swiss canton of Ticino will enforce a law banning the wearing of the niqab (face veil) as of July 1, the Kuwaiti embassy in Bern said yesterday.

The statement added that the canton includes several cities and districts, noting that a niqab wearer could be fined up to $1,000, or even more if she refuses to remove the niqab. The embassy urged Kuwaitis planning to visit the canton during the summer holidays to be careful to avoid trouble with the Ticino authorities.  - KUNA