Police steps up security measures ahead of Easter holidays

Police will be present in all around 4,000 Orthodox churches across the country during church services for Palm Sunday and Easter, the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior said on April 10 regarding the measures against the spread of the coronavirus. The control of temporary checkpoints on the routes into and out of the major cities remains strengthened.

The Interior Ministry said access to the temples would be controlled during the holidays. Meetings are still underway with local metropolitans to finalise where the liturgies will be held. Worshipers should have personal protective equipment and keep a physical distance. Only people who do not pose a risk of infection will be allowed in the temples.

Ivaylo Ivanov, Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior: We are confident that most liturgies will be taken outdoors, where the risk of spreading the infection is less. However, we will try to make sure that the people who go inside the churches at the right distance.

Georgi Hadzhiev, Director of Sofia Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior: It is possible that conflicts may arise in some places, but we will call again for patience. Colleagues are instructed to maintain self-control.

The controls will be tightened so the ministry again called for people to stay home.

Traffic police reminded that the temporary check points at the routes into and out of the big cities will be still in place during the holidays and no non-essential travel would be allowed.

The Interior Ministry also said that up to 24,000 people under 14 day quarantine have been observed so far for whether or not they have complied with it. Due to identified violations, 638 pre-trial proceedings were initiated.