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The border closure due to the COVID-19 emergency temporarily lifted to allow family members to meet in El Paso. On Saturday, officials allowed the border to open for the first time in more than a year so people categorized as "non-essential" could meet in person with relatives from the other side. Officials gave everyone three minutes to meet, greet and hug one another before returning to their side of the border. Americans reportedly had to show proof of vaccination while Mexicans had to show a negative COVID test to be allowed to participate.