CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) over the weekend announced that its consular offices and temporary off-site passport services (TOPS) in Metro Manila will be closed from August 6 to 20 during the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the capital region.

The government announced on Friday that the National Capital Region will be placed under ECQ during the said period, in a bid to slow down the transmission of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

The DFA said affected passport applicants will receive advisories by email regarding their new appointment schedules.

Meanwhile, applicants with appointments for apostille or authentication services at DFA consular offices in Ali Mall Cubao, SM Manila, SM Megamall, and Metro Gaisano Alabang from August 6 to 20 will be accommodated at DFA-Aseana Business Park in Parañaque City at their original dates and times of appointments.

The DFA added that its Aseana office will continue to accept applicants for passport and apostille or authentication services with confirmed appointments from August 6 to 20. However, no walk-in applicants will be accepted.

Meanwhile, those with emergency and urgent medical travel needs may request for an appointment by emailing cl@dfa.gov.ph.

The DFA said they should include copies of their current passport or a government-issued ID if new applicant, and proof of emergency travel.

Those with urgent needs for apostille or authentication services on the other hand may email authentication@dfa.gov.ph with copies of their documents to be apostilled authenticated, and current passport or government-issued ID, and proof of emergency.

(DFA/PIA-NCR)