The White House says fully vaccinated foreign travelers can enter the U.S. starting Nov. 8. The new guidelines announced apply to both international air travel and land travel.
It’s news local businesses and families who have been separated by border restrictions have been hoping to hear for almost two years now.
Rosa Maria Gilge, a retail manager down the block from the San Ysidro port of entry, isn’t too sure the White House will follow through with the Nov. 8 promise.
“Let’s hope they do start letting people in because business is dying,” she said.
We spoke to other businesses in San Ysidro who think the same. They’re questioning if it will actually happen.
They also have concerns about what vaccines will be accepted by the U.S.
“Some vaccines given in Mexico might not be accepted in the U.S.,” Gilge said.
According to a White House official, vaccines authorized by the FDA or have an emergency use listed from the World Health Organization will be allowed.
It’s still unclear how the U.S. will treat people who have mixed shots.
The White House says more details are still to come.
In the meantime, Gilge said they’re starting to prepare for Nov. 8 and will have the store fully stocked in case they see an influx of customers.
She also said some of their employees will get called back to work since many of them were laid off.
“Workers call daily to ask if business is picking up so they can come back to work,” she said.
The San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce estimates 250 businesses have shut down since the border closure to non-essential travel last year.
