[Epoch Times November 08, 2021](Epoch Times reporter Tian Lei reported from San Diego, USA) On Monday, November 8, the United States and Mexico reopened their borders to allow entry for “non-essential travelers” who have completed the COVID-19 vaccination . However, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency stated that it would only spot check the vaccine certificate immediately, and would not check everyone.
According to the San Diego Union Tribune, that morning, at the San Ysidro entry gate south of San Diego, one of the largest entry ports on the US-Mexico border, there was no vehicle jam as previously expected. The fleet of vehicles entering San Diego from Tijuana, Mexico was shorter than expected, which surprised those who entered.
The opening of the border on the occasion of the Christmas shopping season, government officials are expected to have a good impact on the local economy.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said at the press conference that day: “After 20 months of cross-border travel restrictions, today not only family members can reunite, but local businesses rely on cross-border travel to survive. It can also be revitalized.”
The San Diego Union Tribune reported that a lot of checkpoints were added at the San Cedro Immigration Gate that day, all of which were managed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.
(CBP) personnel on duty. They just randomly checked the vaccine certificates of some people and waved them to let them go.
CBP said that starting from November 8, all foreign citizens over the age of 18 must bring a vaccination certificate when entering the country for CBP inspection.
In addition to the three vaccines of Pfizer, Modena, and Johnson & Johnson approved by the US CDC, five other vaccines have been urgently authorized by the World Health Organization, including AstraZeneca, India’s Covaxin, AstraZeneca’s branded vaccine Covishield, and produced in China The “Sinopharm (BIBP/Sinopharm)” and “Sinovac” are both recognized.
Minors under the age of 18 do not need to provide a vaccination certificate, but they must transit with an adult who has a vaccination certificate.
The vaccine certificate can be in other languages, not necessarily in English.
For “essential travel” (essential travel), there is still no requirement to have completed the vaccination at the time of entry. However, CBP said that starting from January next year, it will be required to carry a vaccine certificate. However, U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents still do not need to show a vaccination certificate, and people under the age of 17 do not need to show a vaccination certificate.
The San Sedro Port of Entry is one of the busiest land crossings on the US-Mexico border. According to CBP, an average of 50,000 vehicles enter from here every day. Since March 2020, due to the COVID-19 epidemic, this port and other transit ports on the nearly 2,000-mile border between the United States and Mexico have restricted “non essential travel” and only allowed “essential travel.”
CBP said that cross-border “necessary travel” includes, but is not limited to: US citizens and permanent residents entering the country, individuals who come to the United States for medical treatment, individuals who come to the United States for education, individuals who come to the United States for necessary work, and enter the United States for legal transactions. Individuals, U.S. soldiers and their families, individuals on official or diplomatic travel, etc.
Since November 8, anyone, including foreigners and tourists, can enter the country for whatever reason, as long as they have a vaccine certificate and other legal entry documents.
Editor in charge: Yang Ying
.