The big opposition isn't so much civil liberty or religious freedom IMO, it's as they say in the story, it'll lead to some women being effectively imprisoned- "You can't go out looking like that". Not against the idea in principle but it does stand to harm those who're already vulnerable and I don't like that much. I do like the way that in order to avoid the repression of women, they're telling them what they can and can't wear and threatening them with prison if they don't comply 😉
Incidentally, this law also bans the wearing of motorbike helmets and full face DH helmets, and putting a buff or scarf over your face because it's cold, and those daft facemasks some commuters like to wear.