TUCSON – U. S. Customs But it’s not the first time And border coverage is taking strong action against the non-essential elements of the US border. But it’s not the first time And Mexico to combat the spread of COVID-19, resulting in a dramatic increase in waiting times at access ports across the border.
The federal firm expects adjustments to deter U. S. citizens from entering Mexico unless necessary, but implemented restrictions just two weeks before busy Labor Day weekend.
At some border crossings in Arizona, travelers before this week had to wait more than five hours to cross from Mexico to the United States. Similar conditions have occurred in other cities along the U. S. -Mexico border with even longer wait times.
Customs and Border Protection implemented its initial restrictions on non-essentials in March, when the country began to close because COVID-19 infections increased worldwide. Reasons.
Over the weekend, the border firm began restricting opening hours and reducing the number of lanes open to 12 of the busiest border crossings in the border region. In Arizona, the settings will have an effect on travelers in St. Louis, Nogales and Douglas. ports of entry.
CBP taught those crossing the border before adjustments and decided that “the vast majority of cross-border citizens across the US will be able to do so. But it’s not the first time And legal permanent citizens have purposes that are not considered essential,” the firm said in a statement.
“Reducing non-essential travel will reduce the threat of COVID-19 spread. We, these measures, will discourage non-essential travel and decrease the spread of the virus,” CBP said.
Adjustments have resulted in a strong build-up in average waiting times along Arizona’s borders during the weekend and paint week.
On Monday, CBP’s knowledge showed that waiting times for passenger cars crossing the San Luis access port in southwest Arizona reached a maximum of 5. 5 hours, while travelers at the DeConcini border crossing in Nogales had to wait up to 4 hours.
Reported waiting times had decreased on Tuesday, but were still above average at all 3 Arizona crossings. However, CBP’s message is clear: “Non-essential travelers expect delays. “
Nearly $29 billion in goods and crossed the state’s border with Mexico in 2019, according to US Census data. But it’s not the first time Almost all of this goes through the 3 border crossings affected by the new changes.
Jaime Chamberlain, president of the Port Authority of the Grand Nogales-Condado de Santa Cruz, said restrictions on the Arizona-Mexico border may be a “big obstacle” to foreign industry, but noted that cross-border industry activity continued without delay, despite the tightening of the non-essentialArray
Customs and Border Protection under pressure that “supply chains, in addition to road transport, are not subject to transitional restrictions”.
Chamberlain added that while longer waiting times for passenger cars and pedestrians are meant to deter non-essential Array, he said he does not believe that this resolution will be effective, especially with one of the busiest vacations to come.
“I still think there will be a lot of Arizonans who are likely to go to Mexico next week, until next weekend, for Labor Day weekend,” he said. “Just because they’re so tired of being locked up. “
This is a factor that Nogales Mayor Arturo Gario has been talking about for months, watching long lines of cars form from Arizona to Mexico, especially on weekends.
“More than three-quarters of them are American plates,” he said, asking him if it’s for essential reasons.
Gario stated that long waiting times to cross have been a truth for others along the border, with or without restrictions to restrict the spread of COVID-19.
“People here in Nogales are used to it,” she said.
While the United States has tightened its restrictions, the Mexican government has so far refused to do the same in its border aspect, despite protests from border reactors calling for stricter measures to control American travelers.
The sonoran state government conducted revisions at some border crossings, but were largely temporary.
On Tuesday, the Mexican consulate in Nogales issued a statement reminding border staff of existing restrictions and ingessing them to avoid the non-essential ones “to ensure access to those for essential reasons”.
The resulting adjustments and waiting times have been met with strong opposition from others crossing the border for key reasons. Social media posts detail the frustration many felt when they were caught off guard for longer waiting times.
For Jerri Giusti, a U. S. citizen residing in San Carlos, Sonora, the strictest measures will mean the postponement of several medical appointments in Tucson, which has been since March.
She cited travel restrictions on COVID-19, she would be exempt because medical appointments are considered essential reasons to cross.
“After reading about this weekend, I can’t do it, ” said Giusti. “Because I can’t wait in line that long. I don’t think I can do it, especially in the heat. “
In Puerto Pesasco, an hour south of the Arizona-Mexico border, tourism officials said they were involved in stricter restrictions leading to fewer visitors.
The port city reopened its beaches before this month and is eager to attract Arizonans to compensate for nearly 4 months of devastating losses for its tourism industry.
Héctor Vasquez del Mercado, president of the city’s tourist and conference office, said he had noticed or expected to see any adjustments to bookings made at the city’s many resorts and hotels.
The main gateway that Arizonans use to succeed in the city is not one of the 3 with the most stringent restrictions.
Do you have any recommendations or concepts for articles about the U. S. -Mexico border?Contact the reporter at rafael. carranza@arizonarepublic. com, or with him on Twitter @RafaelCarranza.
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