DFA cuts onsite workforce to 30% in offices under Alert Level 3

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Saturday that it would be observing 30% onsite workforce capacity limit in its offices under Alert Level 3.

Rising COVID-19 infections among its personnel prompted the imposition of a reduced workforce setup, the DFA said.

“The DFA is observing a 30% minimum onsite presence in all its Offices under Alert Level III, while applying work-from-home and other flexible work arrangement,” the department said in an advisory.

As of Saturday, January 15, the department logged 24.7% COVID-19 positivity rate among its workforce, excluding those who have been identified as "close contacts."

(1/2) As of today, the DFA has a 24.7% positivity rate of COVID-19 infections among its personnel. This does not include those who have been identified as close contacts. In view of this, the DFA is observing a 30% minimum onsite presence…@teddyboylocsin

— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) January 15, 2022

“And to ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential public services, no temporary closures will be allowed unless authorized by the Executive Secretary,” the department said.

The government placed Metro Manila and around 50 other areas under Alert Level 3 from January 16 to 31, amid the surge COVID-19 cases.

On Saturday, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded another new record-high 39,004 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the country’s caseload to 3,168,379.

The previous highest daily case count reported was 37,207 on Friday, January 14. — LBG, GMA News