Outgoing PM Kiril Petkov: There is no closing of businesses, Covid certificates or movement restrictions planned

“I want to declare it openly to everyone - there is no closing of businesses, requirements for Covid certificates in the country and restrictions on movement, nor are they planned. I want to reassure absolutely everyone that we monitor the situation very carefully, but the statistics show that Bulgarians can have a serene summer,” declared the outgoing Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.

After a meeting in the Council of Ministers, the outgoing Prime Minister, the Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev and Public Health officials gave a joint press briefing.

A decision to update the National Pandemic Preparedness plan based on the changes in the Health Law was made, said Kiril Petkov.

“I demanded a clear foreseeability. There are six phases, based once again on the number of occupied hospital and intensive care beds and general epidemiological indicators. Current data shows that most of the country is in Phase 0, with a few municipalities in Phase 1,” added Petkov.

There is no revolutionary change in the plan. The main reason for the need for a new plan is the commitment to the altered Health Law, according to which there should be one, so that the Minister of Health, as well as the Council of Ministers can implement various Covid measures when needed,” explained Angel Kunchev.

Coronavirus in Bulgaria: 1021 new cases

“I confirm the Prime Minister’s words that the current rise in the infection rate continues, but it is still very far from the peak rates from just a few months ago. For example, the number of cases today is with 118 lower than the one from yesterday. There is a decrease in the number of people occupying beds in intensive care. Similar to other countries in Europe, the increase in the infection rate will continue, but if it does not lead to more severe cases, pressure on the healthcare system and does not put at risk the lives and health of the patients, of course, we will cope with the situation,” added the Chief State Health Inspector.

According to Kunchev, it is not safe to mаke estimates until when the situation will continue and what levels will be reached. The experts say that the peak will probably happen in August, after which a gradual normalisation will begin.

“Whether there will be a new wave in autumn, what variant, what strain, this is something that no one in the world can predict. There are various speculations,” added Angel Kunchev.

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Health reminds of recommendation for wearing masks as Covid-19 cases rise

This year’s situation is very different compared to the previous two. The first reason is the Covid variant, which spreads more easily, but does not lead to such a high need for hospitalisation, the preparedness of the healthcare system is much better - there are enough vaccines, enough antivirals, and the hospitals have much more extensive experience with diagnosis and treatment.

This is what Kunchev explained and said that, under these circumstances, he does not expect any dramatic turn of events and that the approved plan will be followed.

For now, the wearing of masks is planned to be implemented as obligatory only in healthcare institutions and nursing homes.