Health Minister relaxed rules on distance between tables in open-air restaurants

Bulgaria’s Health Minister Kiril Ananiev amended his May 3 Order on the rules for re-opening open-air spaces at restaurants, bars and coffee shops and reduced the required distance between tables from 2.5 metres to 1.5 metres. The open-air spaces of restaurants and garden are allowed to work as of tomorrow, May 6, given that the anti-epidemic measures are observed.

This was announced at a briefing on May 5 after a meeting between the council of the coalition partners in Bulgaria’s ruling majority.

The amended order also says that the staff of the establishments are required to wear protective face masks or shields. Wearing gloves is recommended.

Since the order was issued on Sunday, restaurant owners have complained that the 2.5 metres distance between the tables would make it difficult for them to cover the costs for the opening the establishment because of the significantly reduced capacity of seats.

The new order also updated the distance between umbrellas in swimming pools. The distance between the two umbrellas, measured from the centre of the umbrellas, in the open air areas around the pools, should be at least 5 metres.

The order also allows visits to open-air museums, provided that the requirement of social distance and all anti-epidemic measures are observed.