Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 2) — The Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that its consular offices will roll out new policies aimed at preventing transmission of coronavirus disease starting next week.
“We seek the understanding of the public as we shift to a ‘new normal’ process so that we can minimize potential health hazards for applicants and our personnel alike while ensuring the prompt and efficient delivery of consular services to the public,” Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Neil Frank Ferrer said in a statement.
The department said on May 4, consular offices in Cotabato, La Union, Puerto Princesa, Santiago, and Tuguegarao will start implementing the health protocols prescribed by the Department of Health for areas under general community quarantine or GCQ.
That includes practicing physical distancing, limiting the number of people inside the offices, taking people’s body temperatures and wearing of face masks.
The DFA also said it is suspending walk-in applications while the GCQ is in effect.
“Everyone availing of consular services, including passport issuance or renewal coursed through the Courtesy Lane and the Diplomatic and Official Passports Section, will now need to schedule an appointment via e-mail,” it said.
The foreign affairs is also urging visa and passport applicants aged 60 years old and above not “to proceed with their applications for consular services at this time” as they are considered vulnerable to COVID-19.
“Several other measures to ensure physical distancing
and limiting physical contact are to be enforced to ensure the safety of all individuals,” the agency said.
These ‘new normal’ processes will also be observed in other consular offices once the government lifts the enhanced community quarantine in their areas and they are allowed to resume operations.
The department said its branch in Clarin, Misamis Occidental has remained open. However, passport or visa applicants from outside Misamis Occidental must present documents upon entry to the province since it is under a modified GCQ.
Consular offices in Butuan, Dumaguete, General Santos, Tacloban, and Clarin, meanwhile, did not suspend operations.
So far, GCQ is implemented in all parts of the country except for National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon except for Aurora, Pangasinan, Benguet, including Baguio City, Iloilo, Cebu, including Cebu City, Bacolod City, and Davao City. This will last until May 15.
The government’s COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force has approved the request of two localities for strict quarantine.
Once approved by President Rodrigo Duterte, Albay and Zamboanga can implement ECQ.
