Sofia adopts additional anti-epidemic measures, wearing masks becomes mandatory in indoor public places from August 4

Regional Health Inspectorate in Sofia on August 1 issued an order introducing new measures against the spread of the coronavirus. The order comes into force as of August 4 and will be in effect for 30 days.

All persons, when in indoor public places, including medical institutions, pharmacies, opticians, specialised institutions for social care services and those for residential social services for children and adults, administrative offices and other places for services to the public, commercial establishments, means of public transport (tram, trolleybus, underground trains, taxi cars and route taxis), railway stations, bus stations, Sofia airport, underground stations are required to wear single-use or reusable face mask.

All employers are required to arrange for anti-epidemic measures to be carried out in workplaces, as follows: a) regular ventilation and disinfection; b) no persons with manifestations of acute respiratory diseases (fever, headache, runny nose, cough, breathing difficulties, etc.) should be allowed in workplaces; c) instruction of staff in proper hand hygiene; d) organisation to ensure a physical distance of at least 1.5 m between persons, 5. Where possible and at their discretion, employers may allow staff to work remotely (from home), or establish working hours with variable limits or shift work, including limiting non-essential contact at workplaces.

The order also introduces limits on visits to patients in hospitals and hospices. Visits may be allowed only to patients admitted for more than five days, and then at the discretion of the attending physician regarding the patient’s state of health and the risk of infection with Covid-19.

In specialised institutions for the provision of social care services and those for residential social services for children and adults, visits are allowed on an exceptional basis and at the discretion of the director of the institution, subject to the established anti-epidemic measures of maintaining a physical distance of 1.5 m and wearing a protective face mask.