Measures and restrictions after the introduction of state of emergency

Bulgaria’s Parliament on March 13 unanimously voted to adopt the proposal of the Council of Ministers to introduce a state of emergency on the territory of the whole country for the period 13 March - 13 April 2020. the measures are aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus.

The following enhanced measures and restrictions are envisaged:

• Restriction of travel to high-risk countries (Iran - Risk Level 5 (Warning to Suspend All Travels and Immediate Leaving the Country); Republic of Korea - Level 4 (Countrywide Waiver Warning (Except Where Needed), Spain - Risk Level 4, France - Risk Level 3 (Recommendation not to travel to certain areas of the country except where necessary), Germany - Risk Level 3, Japan - Risk Level 3 Switzerland - Risk Level 2 (Caution - read about the act in detail Norway - Risk Level 2, Denmark - Risk Level 2, Sweden - Risk Level 2, Netherlands - Risk Level 2, USA - Risk Level 2. Risk levels remain when traveling to China - Level 5, Italy - Level 4).
• It is planned that the evening and drinking establishments will be closed for two weeks, but the restaurants and fast food establishments will continue to work.
• As many citizens do not observe periodic quarantine - sanctions for offenders are provided.
• Limiting social payments.
• Preparation of specific legislative proposals by the health committee

The extraordinary measures that Sofia Municipality introduces are:

• School closures for one week starting Monday.
• Kindergartens, however, continue to operate.
• Closing of public places - galleries, cinemas, halls, all kinds of clubs (for children, pensioners, entertainment).
• Expanding the activities of social patronage with the possibility of delivering medicines and foodstuffs to the homes of elderly people.
• Closing of all periodic and temporary markets (Dolni Bogrov, Malashevtsi, etc.).
• Maximize the opportunities for remote work.
• Provision and organization of an awareness campaign and additional disinfection in Roma neighbourhoods.
• Extension of enhanced measures for disinfection of all spaces and institutions.
• Suspension of night public transport.

The leadership of the Bulgarian Football Union suspends the championships in the Bulgarian professional football (First and Second League) until April 13, 2020.

The coronavirus task force has announced that it expects the coronavirus to spread within 2-3 months. It is not clear when the peak of the infection will be.

By March 13, 23 cases of coronavirus were confirmed and 1,400 patients were examined.