Crossing the border in the age of coronavirus: New coronavirus restrictions at El Paso-Juarez ports

Daily life in both border cities is changing rapidly as governments locally and nationally, in the U.S. and Mexico, alter rules for public gatherings and businesses. Here's a rolling list of updates that could affect border crossers.

Border restrictions to begin Saturday

Restrictions on border crossings between El Paso and Juárez are expected to begin on Saturday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said on Friday.

In separate news conferences broadcast from Washington, D.C., and Mexico City, Wolf and Mexico Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard offered guidance on what restrictions on ports of entry will look like.

Trips that won't be affected by new restrictions include commercial activities, cargo transport, pharmaceutical purchases and emergency services. People who live in Mexico and are authorized to work in the U.S. will be able to cross, as will those attending educational institutions on either side.

"It's not going to close," Ebrard said, explaining that Mexico spent two days negotiating to keep ports at least partially open. "It might have closed if we hadn't done this work.

'Make contingency plans'

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar and other local leaders issued a statement addressing the possibility of a future restriction on cross-border travel. Ports of entry haven't been closed on the U.S.-Mexico border, but restrictions were imposed on the northern border with Canada earlier this week.

“Following the temporary restriction of non-essential travel across the U.S.-Canada border due to the coronavirus pandemic, we are urging the El Paso-Juárez region to prepare contingency plans in anticipation that similar measures may be implemented on the U.S.-Mexico border," the statement read.

“In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. and Mexican authorities need to cooperate closely to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to do so in a transparent, responsible way," according to the statement.

"Cooperation should include steps to keep supply chains open and safe, facilitate essential travel between both countries, and administer aid to refugees and other migrants, such as those individuals held in detention facilities in the United States and awaiting court dates in Mexico."

“This pandemic is a rapidly evolving global challenge, and the response to this pandemic demands bold, courageous action on both sides of the border. As a resilient binational community, we should all be alert, make contingency plans, and work to minimize the health, economic, and social impacts of COVID-19 in our region. Let's rise to the challenge.”

New coronavirus restrictions in Juárez

Juárez city government on Thursday recommended restaurants, bars and businesses operate at 50% capacity, according to a statement issued by the municipal government.

Mayor Armando Cabada met on Wednesday with El Paso's Dee Margo to discuss leveling out restrictions in both cities, given the ongoing movement of thousands of border residents back and forth.

Mexican peso tumbles on economic worries

The Mexican peso fell to an all-time low this week, hitting 23 to the dollar on Wednesday, as fears that coronavirus could provoke a global recession intensified.

"The Mexican peso has been depreciating against the greenback since mid-February to trade around its lowest on record, amid worries regarding the impact of the drop in oil prices on state-run oil firm Pemex and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in the domestic economy," according to a summary from TradingEconomics.com.

Bloomberg reported the peso was trading around 20 per dollar early Wednesday.

More: What are El Paso restaurants and stores doing to prepare for coronavirus?

El Paso-Juárez bridges are open

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the ports of entry in El Paso are operating normally. U.S. citizens and anyone with "a valid current visa" can cross the border as usual, said CBP spokesman Ruben Jauregui.

"Right now, as we speak, the ports of entry are open and it’s business as usual processing people," he said.

The U.S. and Canadian governments on Tuesday banned all "non-essential" travel at the U.S.-Canadian border, but a similar policy hasn't been applied at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Confirmed COVID-19 case in Juárez

There is one confirmed case of coronavirus in Juárez, a 29-year-old male medical student who vacationed in Italy, according to health officials.

In El Paso, there have been six confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Juárez Mayor sends home vulnerable municipal workers

Juárez Mayor Armando Cabada said that city employees over 60, pregnant women and those with disabilities should stay home from work until further notice.

A city working group will determine how long the suspension will last, as the community response to the virus evolves.

More: El Paso City Council closes bars, taverns, arcades and clubs due to threat of coronavirus

Lauren Villagran can be reached at lvillagran@elpasotimes.com.