BI ready for ‘new normal’ operations

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) said its offices are prepared to resume full operations amid a new set of guidelines and protocols that its employees and stakeholders are bound to follow and observe under a “new normal” environment, after the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) is lifted in Metro Manila and other areas of the country.

The BI said the new protocols will be implemented at the BI main office and other immigration field, satellite and extension offices as soon as the government places Metro Manila under General Community Quarantine (GCQ), to ensure that its employees and persons who transact business in its offices are protected against the coronavirus.

It was learned that due to the continuing risk posed by COVID-19, the bureau’s workers will continue to follow several work schemes and arrangements to achieve social distancing and congestion in their workplace.

BI Deputy Commissioner and COVID-19 Task Force Head Aldwin Alegre said depending on the requirements of their respective offices, the BI’s division and section chiefs have the option to implement flexible working arrangements for their staff which particularly suits them.

The bottomline is that wearing of face masks, sanitation and social distancing measures are always observed, he said

The work schemes to be implemented include staggered working hours, assignment of skeletal force, four-day workweek, and work-from-home arrangements for employees who are senior citizens or have underlying medical conditions.