TRAVELS. Terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on May 28, 2021. | Photo: Efe.
People who refuse to comply with a federal mandate requiring them to wear face masks in airports, trains, buses and other public transportation settings will face tougher penalties, Joe Biden administration officials announced Thursday.
The context: The tougher sanctions are part of new actions the administration is taking to combat the spread of the coronavirus. The highly contagious delta variant has caused an increase in infections this summer and is causing more than 1,500 deaths a day, mainly among those who have not been vaccinated.
- Officials from the Department of Homeland Security recently announced that they were extending the federal mandate to wear face masks until January 18.
- Biden said Thursday that the fines from the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) will double the fines for travelers who do not wear face masks.
- Transportation has been a scenario in which the administration has imposed rules for a long time.
And now that…? Starting this Friday, the fine for refusing to wear a mask will increase to a range of $ 500 to $ 1,000 for first-time offenders. Penalties for a second violation of the provision will range from $ 1,000 to $ 3,000.
- Biden also ordered that all employers with more than 100 workers must require the application of the COVID-19 vaccine. Those who refuse will be required to submit a negative virus test weekly.
- “If you break the rules, be prepared to pay. And by the way, show some respect! ”Said Biden.
Main source of the news: The Washington Post.
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