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Fines double for travelers who refuse to wear a mask while flying
President Biden has directed the Transportation Security Administration to double the fines for travelers refusing to wear face masks on public transportation including air travel.
Masks are required on airplanes, trains and buses as well as in airports and transportation hubs.
The mask mandate is effective until at least 18 January 2022.
The new fines take effect today and could mean anti-maskers are fined $500 to $1,000 for the first offense and then $1,000 to $3,000 for repeat violations.
"If you break the rules, be prepared to pay," Biden said during a press conference.
The FAA says it has logged more than 4,000 unruly passenger incidents on flights, with more than 70% due to a passenger’s refusal to wear a mask for the duration of the flight.
The FAA has proposed more than $1 million in fines to unruly passengers so far this year.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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