Health Minister extends the period of measures against Covid-19 spread

In connection with the state of emergency declared by Decision of the Bulgarian Parliament of March 13, 2020 and the recommendations of the National Coronavirus Task Force, Health Minister Kiril Ananiev issued an order to extend the term of the introduced anti-epidemic measures (by Order No. РD-01-124 / 13.03 .2020, Order No. RD 01-131 / 17.03.2020, Order No. RD 01-139 / 19.03.2020 and Order No. RD 01-144 / 22.03.2020) until April 12, 2020. , inclusive.

Payments service providers are allowed to work in large shopping centres, in strict compliance with the sanitary and hygiene requirements, including disinfection, air circulation and instructions for personal hygiene of staff, provision of personal protective equipment and not allowing employees to work with manifestations of symptoms of acute contagious diseases.

Nurseries and kindergartens, schools and universities remain closed. Students continue with the distance learning online.

Entertainment establishments, bars, coffee shops will not work. Restaurants can only offer take-away meals.

Scheduled surgical operations are cancelled. Scheduled and non-urgent medical consultations for children and pregnant women remains prohibited.

In big shopping malls, only supermarkets, banks, insurance company offices and bill payments services will be open.

The checkpoints at the routes into and out of the major cities remain in place. Only people who go to work, to a doctor, to provide care for family members, or to buy food or medicines will be allowed to travel. As proof, they must show document from their employer, medical or ID document.

Earlier today, the head of the national task force, Prof. Mjutafchiyski said that one new case of coronavirus was confirmed, thus bringing the total cases in Bulgaria to 243.The person is from Sofia and was not in contact with any of the previously registered cases.

Ptof. Mutafchiyski said the task force was going to propose to the health minister to extend the period of the measures aimed at combatting the spread of the virus.

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Bulgaria’s Health Minister Kiril Ananiev on March 20 announced new measures being taken to combat the spread of the coronavirus. They were in addition to the measured previously introduced on March 13.

Visits to parks, public gardens, sports grounds and playgrounds and outdoor and indoor facilities are discontinued.

Pet owners will be able to take out their pets for a walk, but it is forbidden to gather in groups.

The authorities of the Ministry of Interior will organize checkpoints at the entry and exit roads of the major cities and will check the purpose of the citizens' travel.

Persons will be allowed to travel in the event of urgency due to a proven need for work, health reasons, return to their current or permanent address or home. This will be verified with a note from the employer, medical documents or ID document.

It is forbidden for persons under the age of 60 to visit supermarkets, food shops and pharmacies daily from 8:30 am to 10:30 am.