US transport authorities to double fines for people refusing to wear masks

The Transport Security Administration of the United States has been directed by President Joe Biden to double the fines on people who violate mask mandates while travelling in the country.

He said, “If you break the rules, be prepared to pay”, according to US media reports.

In a press release on Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security said that the TSA “will increase the range of civil penalties that may be imposed on individuals who violate the federal mask mandate at airports, on commercial aircraft, and in various modes of surface transportation”.

The mask mandate will remain in effect till January 18 next year. The new range of penalties, which take effect Friday, September 10, 2021, will be $500-$1000 for first offenders and $1000-$3000 for second offenders, the press release said.

Biden also announced directives extending COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the country. Employees of companies that have 100+ workers will have to get vaccinated against the disease. The new rule will also impose mandates on contractors who work with the federal government.

The announcement from the White House also included new details about United States’ boosted efforts to increase testing for COVID-19. He said that major retailers will, by the end of next week, will have readily available rapid testing kits.

Biden went on to call for unity amongst Americans to fight against the Delta variant of COVID-19. He said on Thursday, “We have the tools to combat the virus if we can come together as a country and use those tools”, according to US media reports.

The 79-year-old also spoke against “elected officials actively working to undermine” America’s fight against COVID-19. He said, “Instead of encouraging people to get vaccinated and mask up, they’re ordering mobile morgues for the unvaccinated dying from COVID in their communities. This is totally unacceptable”, according to reports from ABC News.

Biden also said that the United States is currently leading the way in vaccine donations across the globe by dispatching over 190 million doses, which is more than all others countries combined.