Cuellar proposes advanced health screenings at ports of entry
The program suggests implementing enhanced health screenings at a minimum of two land ports of entry on both the northern and southern borders to detect ill travelers.
LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - As border towns continue to financially suffer due to lack of tourism, Congressman Henry Cuellar is proposing a pilot program that could potentially allow more visitors into the country.
The program suggests implementing enhanced health screenings at a minimum of two land ports of entry on both the northern and southern borders to detect ill travelers.
Cuellar says the proposed screening would consist of the following phases:
- In the first one, travelers will proceed to standard entry processing.
- In phase 2, a health screening will be conducted by a team of registered nurses.
- Travelers with identified risk of COVID-19 infection would be passed phase 3 which includes rapid testing.
- In phase 4: travelers who test negative will be allowed to proceed to their destination.
If the traveler tested positive and is a foreign visitor, entry will be denied.
If they are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent residents, they will be will be directed to a U.S. quarantine station.
Cuellar says he has submitted the proposal to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for consideration.
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