No off-site passport processing for unvaxxed in Alert Level 3 malls

Philippine passports

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advised the public on Wednesday that those not vaccinated against COVID-19, including minors, will not be accommodated in its consular offices and off-site passport services located inside Alert Level 3 shopping malls.

In an advisory, the DFA said the restrictions on the entry of unvaccinated individuals were imposed by shopping malls hosting its consular offices and Temporary Off-Site Passport Services (TOPS).

“The [DFA]…informs the public that its Consular Offices (COs) and [TOPS] located in malls in areas where at least Alert Level 3 is raised will not be able to accommodate unvaccinated individuals, including minors, due to the restrictions imposed by their host malls barring the entry of unvaccinated persons,” the DFA said.

“Consular Offices are unable to override the host malls’ security and health protocols,” it added.

The DFA advised unvaccinated applicants, including minors, to first check the regulations of the relevant malls before proceeding to their appointments

Affected applicants may also have their appointments rescheduled after having been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or “after malls and local government units have lifted the entry restriction on unvaccinated persons.”

“The Department requests the public’s cooperation as it strives to deliver passport services to the public while ensuring the public’s safety and health amidst the ongoing pandemic,” the DFA said.

The national government earlier placed Metro Manila under the stricter Alert Level 3 until January 15 amid the “exponential” spike of COVID-19 cases in the region.

The provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal were also placed under Alert Level 3 starting Wednesday, January 5. The heightened alert status in the three provinces will be imposed until January 15.

The rest of the country, meanwhile, is currently under Alert Level 2.

/MUF