Restrictions on non-essential travel at land border crossings between Mexico and the United States will be extended until April 21, 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Thursday.

To prevent the further spread of COVID-19, and in coordination with our partners in Canada and Mexico, the United States is extending the restrictions on non-essential travel at our land borders through April 21, while ensuring continued flows of essential trade and travel.

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 18, 2021

Despite being news that was already expected, something that has surprised many is that now Mexico has also decided to restrict land travel on its northern and southern borders to only essential crossings, starting on Friday, March 19.

This was announced by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), which stated that in addition to the above, Mexican authorities will deploy sanitary control measures at both borders.

Adicionalmente, el @GobiernoMX desplegará medidas de control sanitario en el norte y sur del país.

Las restricciones al tránsito no esencial y las medidas sanitarias se mantendrán vigentes hasta las 23:59 hrs. del 21 de abril de 2021.

— Relaciones Exteriores (@SRE_mx) March 18, 2021

But in comparison with the neighboring country, which trips are considered essential for Mexico?, we share them with you below.

•The internment of Mexican citizens and temporary or permanent residents returning to Mexico.
•Persons traveling for medical purposes (for example, to receive medical treatment in Mexico).
•Persons traveling to attend educational institutions.
•Persons traveling to Mexico with a work permit.
•Persons traveling for emergency response or public health purposes (e.g., government officials or first responders entering
Mexico to support federal, state, or local government efforts in response to SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) and other
emergencies).
•Persons involved in legal cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo).

It is worth mentioning that Mexico's restrictions will also be in place until April 21, but there is the possibility of extending them for a similar period depending on the rate of COVID-19 infection.

Related video: Border News: 2nd Week of March 2021