DATE:
October 19, 2021
20
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LIFT ALL RESTRICTIONS ON NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL AT THE SAN DIEGO/TIJUANA PORTS OF ENTRY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On March 21, 2020, the United States Department of Homeland Security implemented temporary restrictions that limit entry of people traveling via land ports of entry into the United States from Mexico or Canada regardless of their country of origin, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 between the United States and Mexico. Since then, the travel restrictions have been renewed every month and continue to remain in effect as part of an ongoing effort by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under Title 42 Section 265 of the United States Code.
In September 2021, the Department of Homeland Security announced its extension of non-essential travel restrictions through October 21, 2021, prolonging the negative economic and social impact to the region.
San Diego County's economy, especially in the border communities, is heavily dependent on cross-border trade and consumption, and the economic impact of reduced cross-border mobility cannot be underestimated. San Diego County's retail and hospitality industry has been hit the hardest, with tourists not being able to cross the border to buy goods and services or enjoy entertainment and dining.
Since March 2020, more than 200 small businesses have closed permanently in San Ysidro alone. This represents over 1,900 jobs lost and 72% of revenue loss in that community. 80% of San Ysidro businesses rely on cross-border customers. Furthermore, the economic impact of the border restrictions on non-essential travel expands beyond San Diego County to the rest of California and the Nation.
Another impact of non-essential travel restrictions in the San Diego-Tijuana border region has been on families who have not been able to see each other since March 2020. In a binational region, ...
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