U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced an adjustment to operations at the San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, and Calexico West crossings in an effort to discourage non-essential travel and the further spread of COVID-19.
“Non-essential travelers should expect more disruption to their travel, including increased wait times and the potential for secondary inspection,” a CBP spokesperson said.
Travelers reported having to wait up to seven hours on Sunday at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry.
According to Border Report, a woman died inside her car while waiting to cross at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
CBP confirmed the death of the woman but the cause was unknown at this time.
The changes in procedures come after a CBP survey of 100,000 travelers found more than 60% of trips across the border by U.S. citizens and permanent residents were not considered essential.
"We need people to think twice about non-essential travel and to ask themselves if the travel is worth risking their lives and the lives of others," CBP said.
Essential workers who cross regularly for work, however, are the ones feeling the pain of the increased wait times.
The new procedure adds an extra four to five hours to their workday for workers such as Andres Roberto Moreno and Maria Roldan, who cross five days a week.
“I get more tired of waiting in line than what I actually work," Moreno said. "I’ve done about the same, five hours in line and five hours at work.”
Roldan, a cleaner at San Diego International Airport, said she wasn't questioned any more stringently than before and has never had to provide her essential worker certification from her employer to CBP agents when she crosses.
She thinks the delay is due to the lack of CBP agents and gates available.
CBP would not divulge the number of agents it has working the ports because it considers that information to be sensitive.
Restrictions are expected to last until September 21st, if not extended.
For border wait times, essential travelers can check https://bwt.cbp.gov/.
