Is wearing the niqab obligatory, and does removing it incur the same punishment as removing the hijab?

The niqab is a garment tailored to cover a woman's face, with two openings for the eyes. Its wearing is obligatory when there is a fear of fitna (temptation/strife), by the consensus of the scholars, and it is recommended when there is no such fear. The most correct opinion is that it is obligatory. Removing the niqab after wearing it falls into two categories:

First, a woman removing it while believing in its obligation. This is forbidden (haram).

Second, a woman removing it while believing in its recommendability. She should not do so, but there is no sin upon her if she is convinced of its permissibility based on the opinion of those scholars who permitted it. However, after the truth becomes clear and the evidence is established, the woman becomes sinful in all circumstances.

This issue is currently almost a matter of consensus due to the corruption of the times and the prevalence of fitan.