Unvaccinated applicants restricted in malls hosting consular offices —DFA

Unvaccinated persons, including minors, have been restricted from entering Consular Offices and Temporary Off-Site Passport Services (TOPS) in malls in areas under Alert Level 3, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In a statement on Wednesday, the DFA also advised unvaccinated applicants to check mall regulations before proceeding to their appointments as the restrictions are imposed by the establishments.

The DFA also said applicants may reschedule their appointments after getting vaccinated against COVID-19 or after their respective local government units relaxed entry policies for unvaccinated people.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Office of Consular Affairs (OCA), informs the public that its Consular Offices (COs) and Temporary Off-Site Passport Services (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 wrote in its advisory.

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

Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 until January 15, 2022 amid the rising cases of COVID-19. 

The national government also placed Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal under Alert Level 3 from Jan. 5 to 15, 2022. — Consuelo Marquez/BM/KBK, GMA News