Admin l Friday, May 29, 2020
WASHINGTON – The United States has resumed limited processing of international passports on a first in, first out basis.
This is based on 3 phased resumption of work by officials of the department, Office of the Spokesman, Department of State has said.
Recall that In March 2020, the Department significantly reduced production of international passports across the United States to both protect workforce and customers and also to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Our gradual reopening will follow the Department of State’s “Diplomacy Strong” plan, which follows U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines across the country, based on science and public health.
“We are continuously evaluating conditions at each of our locations and will resume operations in accordance with public health data for that region and with local government response measures.
“We are working to resume normal operations in phases. Each passport agency and center will open on a different date based on local conditions”, the statement noted.
Phase 1: Limited staff return to work, allowing us to resume limited processing of applications we already received. Applications will be processed on a first in, first out basis. We will continue to offer services for customers with life-or-death emergencies. Customers must wear cloth face coverings in all common areas, including our lobbies, and observe strict social distancing. During phase 1, we will continue to recommend customers wait to submit new or renewal applications as delays will continue.
Phase 2: Most staff will return to work, and will process applications on a first in, first out basis, beginning with the oldest applications. Staff and customers should wear cloth face coverings in all common areas, including our lobbies, and continue to observe social distancing.
Phase 3: All remaining Passport Services staff return to work. We will continue to address applications on a first in, first out basis, focusing on the oldest applications. Staff and customers may wear cloth face coverings in common areas and we will encourage social distancing. We also plan to resume expedited processing in this phase.
The department said it will continue to prioritize life-or-death emergency applications throughout all three phases of our reopening process.
The United States process over 18 million passports a year.
