NOGALES, Ariz. (AP) — Protesters are demanding stricter screenings for coronavirus on southbound traffic at the U.S.-Mexico border.

They say they’re concerned that travelers from the U.S. could import new cases of the coronavirus into Mexico.

On Wednesday, protesters on the Mexican side of the border blocked the Mexico-bound lanes in the twin border cities of Ambos Nogales for several hours.

U.S. Citizen and Army Veteran Joseph Trevino talks to News 4 Tucson from across the border fence in Nogales, Sonora about impact of port of entry shut downs & protests.

The group of citizens who call themselves the Sonorans for Health and Life parked two cars across the lanes leading out of a port of entry.

Nogales, AZ Mayor Arturo Garino expresses worries about border economy continuing to suffer with border closures in Sonora, Mexico & Arizona.

About a half-dozen protesters then stood in the blocked lanes, holding signs and slogans such as “We demand control of the border.”

News 4 Tucson's Paul Cicala reports live along the border with Nogales, Sonora -Mexico- behind him.

The United States implemented restrictions on non-essential travelers at its ports of entry with Mexico starting last Saturday.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has been criticized for downplaying the seriousness of the coronavirus threat and moving slowly to implement preventative measures, even as governors of states including Sonora and the mayor of Mexico City imposed restrictions and urged people to stay home.