EL PASO - Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Congressman Will Hurd (TX-23), Mayor Dee Margo, County Judge Ricardo A. Samaniego, and Borderplex Chief Executive Officer Jon Barela, released the following joint statement urging U.S. and Mexican authorities to cooperate to contain spread of coronavirus, and El Paso-Juárez region to make contingency plans to minimize impact:

"Following the temporary restriction of non-essential travel across the U.S.-Canada border due to the coronavirus pandemic, we are urging the El Paso-Juarez region to prepare contingency plans in anticipation that similar measures may be implemented on the U.S.-Mexico border.

"In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. and Mexican authorities need to cooperate closely to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to do so in a transparent, responsible way. Cooperation should include steps to keep supply chains open and safe, facilitate essential travel between both countries, and administer aid to refugees and other migrants, such as those individuals held in detention facilities in the United States and awaiting court dates in Mexico.

"This pandemic is a rapidly evolving global challenge, and the response to this pandemic demands bold, courageous action on both sides of the border. As a resilient binational community, we should all be alert, make contingency plans, and work to minimize the health, economic, and social impacts of COVID-19 in our region. Let's rise to the challenge."