Entire Hong Kong MTR line shuts down as protesters swarm all 18 districts after face mask ban

The MTR service to and from the airport has also been suspended.

Kayla Wong | October 05, 2019, 12:45 AM

Hong Kong's MTR train system has come to a standstill.

The MTR Corporation announced the closure of the entire MTR line at around 10:30pm on Friday, Oct. 4, Stand News reported.

The Airport Express service has also been suspended.

Hong Kong's flag carrier, Cathay Pacific, tweeted the news, and advised passengers to consider other modes of transportation to the Hong Kong International Airport.

Swarming the whole of Hong Kong

In response to the ban on face masks, which will take effect from midnight on Saturday, Oct. 5, protesters started taking to the streets at 4pm.

They took over major roads, such as Connaught Road and Des Voeux Road Central in Hong Kong Island, and blocked the passageways with various objects.

All 18 districts of Hong Kong were swarmed by protesters by night time.

Many of them did not seem to heed the ban as they were still spotted wearing face masks.

A Hong Kong court earlier dismissed an application for an emergency injunction to stop the mask ban, Hong Kong Free Press reported.

Top image via @galileocheng