MEXICALI BRIEFS
COVID-19
City authorizes reopening of casinos
First were street vendors, then came restaurants and fitness centers. Now is the time for the reopening of Mexicali casinos.
The city’s secretary announced that starting Friday the gradual reopening casinos has been approved under certain protocols to prevent infection of employees and clients.
The Office of the Secretary said that in order to avoid overcrowding, casinos will open 24/7.
However, alcoholic beverages will be forbidden, and the sale of food will be permitted by applying the guidelines of the so-called safe table.
A dozen casino chains were permitted to reopen.
Casino operators must comply with social distancing by spacing in-service gaming machines, installing acrylic walls between each gaming device and limiting card tables to three people.
Also, admission will be limited only to people who have the intention of playing. They will pass through a health checkpoint where they will be checked for fever and other symptoms, and antibacterial gel will be applied.
During operations, managers will be asked to regularly sanitize surfaces, tables, machines, accessories, game items, boxes and customer service areas. They must also ensure these spaces remain smoke-free during the time of the health emergency.
BUSINESS
COVID kills hundreds of businesses
Around 500 businesses have been shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the city, Mexicali Chamber of Commerce President Juan Ramon Lopez López Naranjo said.
Most of the businesses were small clothing shops that were unable to survive three months without revenue, La Crónica newspaper reported.
Business owners realized it will take time to come back after weeks of closing.
Owners were also unable to pay rent without sales, Lopez Naranjo said.
“Clothes sales sites were severely impacted as customers prioritize the purchase of food over clothing,” the chamber’s president told the newspaper. “Just like some stationers were impacted as students stopped going to school, and it is uncertain if they will come back.”
López Naranjo said reopening dates for other businesses is unclear given they must wait until the color coding system moves the state into green.
In the meantime, those that had been scheduled for reopening must comply with health protocols.
“We must be cognizant that the return will not be simple and that (in order to stay afloat) we must seek into new forms to reach customers,” Lopez Naranjo said. “We are in a new era, and if the pandemic can help entrepreneurs to learn, it is good as they will have new tools to keep working.”
The chamber has been holding seminars to prepare members for the new normal.
ASSEMBLY
Lawmakers support governor in toll booth controversy
State lawmakers approved a resolution introduced by Assembly Speaker Julio César Vázquez Castillo in order to “unrestrictedly support our state governor, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, in his decree and release of the toll booth and its unfair collection, when moving vehicles freely through the stretch of the scenic Playas de Tijuana-Playas de Rosarito highway and promote the rights of Baja California motorists.”
The Labor Party legislator recalled that on July 7, Gov. Bonilla, “in an action of justice and with great courage,” took control of the toll booth and turned it over to state Attorney General Guillermo Ruiz through a decree.
The Department of Communications and Transportation responded by sending federal forces to recover control of the booth. The case has been turned over to the courts.
“Our Governor Jaime Bonilla Valdez signed the decree that will allow the state government to take over the administration of the section of the scenic highway Tijuana-Playas de Rosarito,” the Speaker said. “It was decided that residents of Playas and motorists who circulate in the area will no longer pay for the corresponding fee.”
Residents had demanded cancellation of toll collection due to its high cost. Authorities said some 12,000 families in the area were paying about $50 per week in fees for the use of the highway.
Both Bonilla and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador made a commitment during their election campaigns to cancel the toll.
Speaker Vázquez Castillo said Mexico’s Office of Federal Roads and Bridges discounts about half the road toll fee.
The Assembly’s resolution calls for López Obrador to resolve the issue and asks for the Mexican Congress to suspend toll collection at the booth.
CRIME
Two nabbed for damaging border fence
Two individuals were arrested Thursday afternoon at Morelos Street and Cristóbal Colón Avenue in alleged possession of a tool to clear passage over the border fence.
Mexicali Police said officers were patrolling the area about 4 p.m. and observed the suspects at the top of the fence.
The detainees were identified as José “Doe,” 40, and Ángel “Doe,” 45.
The suspects allegedly carried wire cutters, a yellow rope ladder and PVC pipes.
Authorities also found at the scene three pieces of barbed wire that were cut from the top of the fence.
The detainees were transferred to police facilities.