Yea it makes no sense, but it's just the way embassies like to operate. They like to do things the old way. In person, a lot of physical paperwork and cash only, to increase the chance of spread 🤷‍♂️ Just have to go with the flow and do it the way they want. Also, regular people on holiday still need to submit CoE so they need to process all those CoE applications and do paperwork, so maybe that's what's clogging up their pipes...

Ahh. I see. I went through all the embassy hassle back in feb to get an STV for 9 months stay. But still I was able to come in person at the embassy. So I guess now it’s because of christmas times..

You can still extend visa exemption to a total of 60 days, no?

Embassies are the worst. Avoid them if you can! If not, go there in person and insist, with persistence.