News briefing of Bulgaria’s coronavirus task force

Speaking at a news briefing after the extraordinary meeting convened by Bulgaria’s PM on Thursday night over the situation with the coronavirus, the head of the coronavirus task force, prof. Mutafchiyski said that work is being done to curb the spread of the contagion within the country, and the situation that arises requires much quicker decisions and action on the part of health authorities and state institutions.

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev said that we were at the bottom of the curve describing the peak of the infection, and now is the time to take more decisive measures to limit the spread of the virus.

There is a need to limit the travel of Bulgarian citizens to countries with a high prevalence of coronavirus cases as well as entry into Bulgaria. It will be necessary to start applying fines and suspend social payments to people who do not comply with the quarantine, the Deputy Prime Minister added.

The main motivation is to keep the fine balance of guaranteeing the life and health of Bulgarian citizens and preserving the economic life in the country.

Donchev stressed that the state of emergency does not mean limiting civil rights. The only right that will be restricted is the right of movement. In his words, there is no room for panic.

The proposal to ban entry and exit from the country is expected to be put in a final form within this week, Donchev said.

***

Sixteen cases of Covid-19 new coronavirus were confirmed in Bulgaria on March 12 thus making the total 23.