<span style="color: #222222;">The Netherlands banned face-covering clothing, such as a burqa or niqab, in public buildings and on transport as a contentious law on the garment came into force. <br />''<br />''Between 100 and 400 women are estimated to wear a burqa or niqab in the European country of 17 million people.<br />''<br />''The legislation – which was passed in June last year after more than a decade of political debate on the subject – also applies to other face coverings such as full-face helmets, balaclavas or ski mask.</span><br />