COVID-19 concerns loom as U.S.-Mexico border prepares to open to fully vaccinated
EL PASO, Texas (CBS4) — In less than a month, on Nov. 8, the US-Mexico border will reopen to foreign visitors who have received a full dose of vaccines authorized by the FDA or listed for Emergency use by the World Health Organization.
For many people in the borderland, this will be the first time they will reunite with loved ones since the border closed in March in 2020 due to COVID-19.
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"It’s really really good because all my family is in Mexico so that’s really cool because I haven’t been able to see them and to like have them in my house," one person said.
“So I feel like it’s just gonna be a really great getting to see their family once again," another person said.
While some people are excited to see the border reopen, many are hesitant about COVID-19 despite the requirement that foreign nationals must be vaccinated to enter the US.
"There is concern like these people that are coming over won’t be vaccinated and won’t be taking a precaution... but I guess if they are coming over and will be vaccinated then it’s a good thing," an El Pasoan said.
"A lot of mixed emotions yeah just for safety and you know for everybody because we’ve also lost a lot of people," another person said.
A White House official said more details are coming soon about what vaccines will be accepted to cross.
CBS4 is also working to learn more about how U.S. Customs and Border Protection will screen travelers.
If you know someone across the border who is under 18 and hasn’t gotten the vaccine yet, El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said he is working with Mexican officials to get more vaccines into the arms of young Juarenses.
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