TSA issuing fines for people who refuse to wear face coverings

BOSTON — Not wearing a mask at the airport could now cost you more than your actual flight.

TSA announced Friday that the organization would be issuing fine for people who refuse to wear face coverings.

For first time offenders, TSA reported a fine of $250 could be issued. For repeat offenders, fine’s could be $1,500.

The penalty comes after a CDC Public Health Order that went into effect earlier this week, requiring face masks in all transportation hubs like airports, trains and buses. Refusing to wear one is considered a federal law.

At Boston Logan Airport on Friday, some passengers said they believed it could help with mask enforcement.

“I think it’s probably a good way to make people wear a mask,” one traveler told Boston 25 News.

Others said they thought the dollar amount was steep.

“That is a lot. I wouldn’t want to pay that!” another passenger said.

Passenger Molly Morgan said she felt the fine was appropriate, and added that it takes the responsibility off of passengers to report each other.

“Even on a flight I’ve had to do that. There’s a woman sleeping, and I had to ask her to please put her mask on. And it’s not my job to do that, so if there’s a consequence, it will take the ownness off of me.”

The fines come just before schools go on February break and ahead of potential college spring break crowds in March.

Passenger Matt Mathis told Boston 25 he wasn’t sure the fines would help when it comes to college students.

“If people are going to go on vacation for spring break I don’t think they care too much about that policy,” he said.

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