Officials Extend Travel Restrictions Between the U.S. and Mexico Through Jan. 21

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United States and Mexico have extended travel restrictions between the two nations through Jan. 21.

The objective of the extension is to keep essential trade routes open while reducing the spread of the virus. Mexico proposed the extension after several states reached a critical level of infection.

The CDC backed the decision, recommending citizens avoid all non-essential travel to Mexico.

For those who have no choice, the CDC recommends taking a PCR test one to three days before departure. All American travelers must self-isolate for a week after returning home.

According to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, experts will reevaluate the situation early next year. If the world sees progress with the covid-19 vaccine, they may choose to lift some of the restrictions.

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There’s some debate whether anyone is enforcing these restrictions. El Paso and other ports of entry are seeing reduced traffic on the American side. Yet, many Americans are still crossing the border into Mexico to shop, visit family members, or travel within the country.

It’s unclear why people are still traveling. Some blame Mexican president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, for not taking the pandemic seriously.

Lopez has faced backlash for traveling during the crisis and refusing to wear a mask.

This is troubling considering the worsening situation in both countries. In the United States, the number of infections, daily deaths, and hospital admissions continues to rise. Daily deaths have been increasing since November.

In Mexico, covid-19 deaths have surpassed 100,000. This places Mexico on the list of the worst countries in the world for per capital covid-19 deaths.

On top of that, Mexican hospitals are struggling to treat patients. Statistics show 57 percent of patients are dying after spending less than a week in the hospital, and many are passing away before they access a ventilator.