May 7, 2020
Today, the Mexican and U.S. federal governments announced the suspension of all non-essential travel across our southern border to help control the spread of coronavirus. Examples of non-essential travel include tourism and recreation. Commercial trade & cargo will NOT be impacted. Our cross-border workforce performing essential operations will continue to have access to the ports of entry. These restrictions go into effect at 00:01 Saturday, March 21.
Guidance on these new restrictions will follow the Federal Register Notice issued for the northern border, available here. However, CBP reports elements of the notice will not be overly prescriptive in order to provide officers discretion and flexibility in applying the guidance. Please visit the official DHS web and social media pages for official updates on port operations.
We recommend employers performing essential operations provide a letter or documentation for their workforce to help identify essential personnel at the ports of entry and in adherence to the State of California’s stay-at-home executive order.
State Update
On Thursday, March 19 the Governor issued a “stay home except for essential needs” Executive Order effective immediately and in place until further notice. Friday, March 20th the State’s Public Health Officer issued an “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” guidance further clarifying the Executive Order.