Bulgaria’s government adopted stricter measures against Covid-19

Bulgaria’s government on November 25 adopted a decision to introduce stricter measures against Covid-19.

The measures come into force as of the evening on November 27 and will be in effect until December 21, HealthMinister Kostadin Angelov said.

• Classes in all educational institutions are suspended - students from 1st to 12th grade, extracurricular activities, kindergartens, nurseries;
• Congresses, teambuildings, cultural events are suspended;
• Theatres will continue to operate with a capacity of up to 30% occupancy and strict compliance with the measures;
• No more than 15 people will be allowed at celebrations;
• Individual and group sports for persons up to 18 years of age are suspended. Competitions for those over the age of 18 will be held without an audience.
• Gym visits are suspended;
• Restaurants and bars will be closed. Only home and office food deliveries are allowed;
• Shopping malls will be closed, except for banks, pharmacies, opticians, pet stores, service providers that are located in the malls. Small shops continue to operate under current conditions;
• Excursions are prohibited;
• Temples, parks and gardens remain open, no curfew will be imposed.

The head of the task force Gen. Ventsislav Mutafchyiski thanked for the introduction of stricter measures and described them as timely and correct, in view of the increased morbidity and mortality.

It is not a question of closing people in their homes, the goal is to reduce the level of morbidity. According to analyses, the decrease in incidence and mortality rate will be seen at the earliest by the end of the second week after the implementation of the measures.

This is absolutely necessary for the health care system to withstand the pressure, which is becoming increasingly unbearable. As the epidemic progresses, the number of medical personnel decreases, they become infected. Currently more than 2,000 medical staff are infected with the virus and not working, added Mutafchyiski. According to him, the contacts should be reduced to a minimum. This will allow us to welcome the upcoming Christmas holidays more calmly. Reduced morbidity levels will slow the pace of the pandemic and allow more healthy people to receive the vaccines when they are available, This is the big goal, Prof. Mutafchyiski added.

Chief State Health Inspector Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev said that 50,000 people had died in the EU in the past 14 days. He justified the stricter measures by saying that half of society supports them. However, decisions are made on the basis of statistical information, there are more than 17 indicators that are compared with those in other European countries.

Do not hold huge gatherings, called Assoc. Prof. Kunchev.

The director of "Pirogov" emergency hospital in Sofia, Prof. Assen Baltov commented that with the proposed measures there will be a more adequate opportunity for treatment of patients. All necessary medicines have been provided, 3 new blood plasma donation centres have been opened - in Plovdiv, Stara Zagora and Pleven.

Deputy Prime Minister Denitsa Sacheva said that the decision for stricter measures was difficult. We will do so to help everyone who needs help. The measures 60/40 and 80/20, the social care, as well as the help for parents who will have to take care of their children continue, she said.

A new measure has been adopted for closed businesses - those insured on an 8-hour working day will be able to rely on BGN 24 per day. The aid will be paid directly to the workers, they must be on unpaid leave. About BGN 50 million have been allocated for this measure, which will cover 50,000 people.

The provision of all measures will cost 350-400 million, Sacheva added. The support for the medical professionals working on the front line will continue, the Deputy Prime Minister assured.

Economy Minister Lachezar Borisov said a balance had been reached, and the trade sector remained fully open, with the exception of shopping malls. Thanks to the employers who gave their suggestions on how to compensate the closed business. A liquidity aid scheme is being developed, the probable criterion being a percentage of turnover.