July 22, 2021

Temporary restrictions on non-essential travel across shared ports of entry between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico were extended for an additional thirty days to August 21. With northbound waits of up to six hours at the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry during the past months, border restrictions and delays continue to impact businesses across our region. Mayors Todd Gloria (San Diego), Alejandra Sotelo-Solis (National City), Serge Dedina (Imperial Beach), and San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas joined at the San Ysidro Port of Entry to urge the administration to lift travel restrictions impacting land ports of entry. The Chamber also shared an overview of the negative economic impact these restrictions have had on our business community and cross-border workforce.

President Lopez Obrador shared that he is working with the U.S. federal government to lift restrictions following the distribution of 1.2 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine amongst individuals aged 18 – 39 across Baja. Since restrictions were not lifted this month, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard stated that he will submit a proposal to the Biden administration to gradually lift restrictions based on regional vaccination rate. He added that the city of Tijuana’s vaccination rate is now comparable with San Diego.