BI lowers on-site work capacity in NCR

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday said that it lowered its on-site work capacity in Metro Manila after it was placed under the stricter Alert Level 3 in an effort to curb the rising number of COVID-19 infections.

“As an effect, all BI offices in NCR shall be operating during weekdays, and will observe a 60% on-site work capacity, while adopting applicable alternative work arrangements,” said BI Commissioner Jaime Morente in a statement.

Prior to this announcement, the BI operated on a minimum of 50 percent to a maximum of 70 percent skeleton workforce.

Morente also announced that fully vaccinated clients remain exempted from the BI’s online appointment system, subject to the presentation of their vaccination cards or certification prior to entry.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated clients, however, remain required to set their appointments online.

Meanwhile, foreign nationals reporting for the Annual Report 2022 are required to secure an appointment via https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph/.

Metro Manila was placed by the national government under alert level 3 following the surge of COVID-19 cases in the country as well as the rise in carriers of the Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern, which is feared to be more transmissible than even the Delta variant which caused the last surge of COVID-19 infections in the country.

Other places under alert level 3 are Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal.

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