Mask Law Already Has A Deterrent Effect: Maria Tam

A deputy director of Beijing's Basic Law Committee, Maria Tam, said on Wednesday that she thinks Hong Kong's anti-mask law has had a deterrent effect on young people "on the fringe", stopping them from joining unlawful assemblies.

She said more teenagers have been getting arrested in recent weeks and she hopes the new law will make them think twice before going out to join such events.

"So the most important thing is to let the young people know if anyone asks you to go out and join an unlawful assembly or a public assembly, and you put on a mask and nobody is going to cause you any problem, those days are gone," she said. "So you better not got out with a mask."

"That in, some ways, will keep you out of trouble. That is the deterrent effect I wish to see," said Tam.

On an RTHK TV programme, Tam said that hardcore protesters, however, are unlikely to be deterred by the new law.

She also said she has received WhatsApp messages purportedly showing protesters dressed in black, knocking on doors asking for people to donate money towards the protest action.

Tam said this kind of behaviour makes people feel unsafe, and the authorities and district councillors should join hands to improve the security of buildings.