that is stephen carroll. to hong kong where 16 people were arrested, linked to antigovernment protests last year. it is the latest move in a growing crackdown on activists in hong kong. the repression being felt across large parts of life. notably in the art world. many artists are fearing their work may violate national security laws that forbid subversion against government of mainland china. >> freedom of expression on the guillotine. for illustrator auto, it is an apt metetaphor. >> [speaking foreign language] citity's creaeative community is in the midst of an existential crisis amid an atmosphere of repression. allowly 2019 a bill to the extradition of criminal suspects sparked massive s stret protests. the bill was withdrawn, but beijing responded with a new national security law that makes subversion and secesessionism punishable by life in prison. hong kong's initial pro-government says the law does not affect artistic freedoms. artists say they don't know where that redline is. >> [speaking foreign

to talk more about that, let's bring in our business editor stephen carroll. at were business leadeders interested in the most? stephen: it was a press conference talking mullen -- mainly about public health measures that have an impact on business. on the issue of masks, there is a particular area of interest for business leaders, and that comingrule and there's into effect next to say that people have to wear masks in workplaces all over france. had called for there to be flexibility in those rules not something -- currently been consulted on by france's public health committee. they are due to report by friday. the prime minister said for the moment, the rule will remain -- everyone at work and in places shared with people will have to wear masks. only those that will get individual offices will have an exception to the rule. the health committee comes up with suggestions on how to make a rule more flexible, they will take that into account. maintain the rule around masks. think about mechanics and people working in industrial areas -- .here could be difficu