“With out stronger COVID-19 prevention measures in place, DHS is placing its workforce, help workers, communities, and migrants at better danger of contracting the virus,” concluded the report, which comes amid the worldwide pandemic.
Moreover, the Covid-19 testing course of for households which have left CBP custody is “not efficient as a result of municipalities can not pressure households to isolate for the required quarantine interval,” in keeping with the report.
The method in place to acquire testing for migrants “might not all the time be operationally possible, particularly throughout an inflow of migrant crossings on the southwest border,” in keeping with the report. In a single US Border Patrol area, brokers informed the watchdog that relying solely on native well being methods in distant border communities isn’t a sustainable testing plan.
A DHS spokesperson informed CNN in a press release Wednesday that “CBP offers migrants with PPE from the second they’re taken into custody, and migrants are required to maintain masks on always, together with when they’re transferred or within the strategy of being launched.”
“If anybody reveals indicators of sickness in CBP custody, they’re referred to native well being methods for applicable testing, analysis, and therapy. CBP takes its accountability to stop the unfold of communicable illnesses very critically,” the assertion continued.
The watchdog really helpful that the division reassess its Covid-19 response framework to handle areas for enchancment and that the DHS secretary be certain that part businesses proceed to coordinate with the DHS chief medical officer and are supplied the assets wanted to function safely and successfully.
DHS agreed with each suggestions.
