With its political will and space to make additional concessions to Hong Kong's protest movement narrowed, and with its security actions having failed to stifle four months of demonstrations, Hong Kong authorities are set to invoke a controversial colonial-era emergency ordinance and ban the wearing of masks. Chief Executive Carrie Lam is set to convene an Executive Council meeting on Oct 4 to discuss the anti-mask law along with other measures that, if approved, would take effect immediately. Even a limited application of the emergency ordinance effectively means the Hong Kong government is nearing the limit of what it can do to pacify the protests. If implemented in full, the emergency ordinance would empower Lam to control the internet, seize key transport hubs, and arrest and deport protesters.