USA: The Transportation Security Administration(TSA) announced Friday that it will recommend fines ranging from $250 to $1,500 for individuals who don’t abide by the new transportation masks order issued by President Joe Biden on his second day in office.
The agency mentioned it may also “seek a sanction amount that falls outside these ranges,” within the announcement and noted the higher fines would apply to repeat offenders.
Biden’s order requires individuals to put on masks in airports, bus and train terminals and on trains, planes, buses and public transportation.
TSA has been charged with implementing Biden’s executive order and subsequent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mask-wearing guidelines that took effect on Feb. 1 and built on the order.
Although the TSA is most commonly associated with airport checkpoints, fines will apply to offenders across those various transportation types. TSA mentioned on Twitter the agency has “provided transportation system operators specific guidance on how to report violations so that TSA may issue penalties to those who refuse to put on a face mask.”
The CDC ordered exempts children under 2 years of age and people with a disability that makes it unsafe to put on a mask. The CDC mentioned transportation operators can require medical documentation.
Travelers will be allowed to take away masks while eating or drinking.
The CDC mentioned some face coverings aren’t good enough to comply with the rule. The don’t-travel list includes face shields, bandanas, masks with exhalation valves, and masks that are too huge or otherwise don’t fit properly.
Biden, who mentioned on his first day in office that “changing the course of the COVID crisis” is a top priority, also signed an order mandating masks on federal property.
