WASHINGTON: Transportation Security Administration (TSA) doubled the fine for the first offenders who failed to wear a mask, Friday effectively, and said repetitive offenders could face a fine of $ 3,000.
The White House said President Joe Biden directed a higher fines to “ensure that masking requirements remained at other transportation modes when we continued to fight in Covid-19.” TSA said the new fine would be “to $ 500- $ 1,000 for the first offenders and $ 1,000 – $ 3,000 for the second offender.” Biden told reporters at the White House “TSA will double the fine of tourists who refuse to cover up.
If you break the rules be prepared to pay.” He criticized anger shown by several passengers against flight attendants and others to enforce mask requirements.
“That’s wrong.
It’s ugly,” Biden said.
Last month, TSA requirements extended for travelers to wear masks on airplanes, trains and buses and airports and train stations until January 18 to overcome the ongoing Covid-19 risk.
Regulations have been established to expire September 13.
The TSA Administrator David Pekoske said, “By doubling the range of punishment, we strive to strengthen the importance of voluntary compliance.” TSA said that operators along the transportation network have reported more than 4,000 incidents related to face masks.
Until now, nearly 4,000 warning notifications have been sent and 126 referenced for civil penalty.
TSA said in January that the first incident began at $ 250 for failing to wear a mask.
Federal flight administration (FAA) has issued a much higher fines because it does not wear a mask on airplanes and for other disturbing behavior.
The FAA has proposed a total sentence of more than $ 1 million, including a lot of $ 9,000 because it does not wear a mask on an airplane.