Calexico East Port of Entry limit hours due to COVID-19

CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Every single day people cross the border from Calexico into Mexicali, and the new operating hours will affect people on both sides. 

The Calexico East passenger border crossing will operate from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Sunday, April 26, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

CBP says they see a significant decrease in the volume of traffic arriving at the Calexico east border. 

This is a change to the passenger portion of the port of entry; there are no changes to the cargo/commercial facility at the port of entry hours. 

For Hector a street vendor on the Mexicali-Calexico port of entry he says with the Coronavirus pandemic he’s already seen a decrease in his sales and now he worries he won’t have enough money to feed his family. 

“If it closes I have to stay home and I’ll stay in the house with a lot of problems there won’t be anything to eat, there won’t be anything for the family, and on top of that I have a baby there won’t be anything for the baby,” he said.  

He says he’s been working at the entrance of port for the last 4 years and it’s always had its ups and downs. 

“Always, always the life of a poor person is having a really hard time always. And we die for money.” 

CBP says they hope this flattens the curve.