Friday, November 8, 2024

Border travel restrictions may be extended to August 21

Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it has proposed extending restrictions on non-essential travel between Mexico and the United States until August 21.

The restrictions, which apply to the land border only and do not affect air travel between the countries, have been in force for nearly four months.

On its official Twitter page, the Foreign Ministry proposed that “the restrictions will remain in the same terms in which they have been developed since their implementation on March 21. Both countries will continue to seek to coordinate health measures in the border region.”

The United States has yet to announce an extension of border restrictions; the decision lies in the hands of officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

People who have temporary work visas, emergency personnel, students, government officials, flight crews and those involved in cross-border trade are still allowed entry under the terms of the current restrictions. Travel for leisure, tourism or recreation is prohibited.

According to the most recent data available, the border states of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas have a combined total of 764,996 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. On the south side of the border, the Mexican states of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas have a total of 55,083 cases.

On July 2, United States Ambassador Christopher Landau asked U.S. citizens to respect the restrictions put in place. 

“Attention U.S. citizens on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border! We’re still in the midst of a pandemic, but hundreds of thousands of people PER DAY are crossing the land border — and fully 90% are U.S. citizens or green card holders,” he posted to Twitter. “Whichever side of the border you live on, this is NOT the time to cross to shop, eat, or visit family on the other side. Only ‘essential’ travel is permitted over the land border.”

Source: La Jornada (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
President Sheinbaum on stage in a spotlight

Sheinbaum’s security strategy: More social spending … and more military?

0
The new administration appears more willing to confront "the most overt and brazen displays of power" by criminal organizations.
Personnel of the Mexican Army guarded the facilities of the Attorney General's Office of the State of Guerrero,

Guerrero prosecutors confirm the identity of 11 victims found dead in Chilpancingo

0
The Army announced an all-out search for 17 missing merchants on Tuesday but for some of the group, help came too late.
Monterrey, the capital city of Nuevo León, as seen at night

The life expectancy in Mexico’s healthiest state just got longer

0
The Nuevo León health minister credited the state's longevity to a health care model that prioritizes quality and safety.