On Sunday, May 3, 2020, Bulgarian Health Minister Kiril Ananiev issued an order (Reserve No. RD-01-249/05/03/2020), canceling some anti-epidemic measures and allowing the opening and visiting of outdoor trading areas. These are terraces of cafes, restaurants, fast food establishments and bars. They will be able to start working on May 6, subject to the following anti-epidemic measures:
a) tables must be positioned in such a way that the distance between them is at least 2.5 meters; no more than 4 people can be seated at a table;
b) service personnel must wear masks;
c) service personnel must disinfect the surfaces of tables and chairs after each visitor;
d) devices with disinfectant must be installed in a visible place for visitors.
According to the order of the minister, the Bulgarian Agency for Food Safety (Bulgarian Agency for Storage Safety) must determine additional requirements for the organization of work by May 5.
Checkpoints
Checkpoints at exits from regional cities, which were introduced as a measure to curb the spread of coronavirus, will be lifted on Gergjovden (6 May). This was stated by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov after a meeting with the National Operational Headquarters to Combat Coronavirus in Bulgaria. “Nevertheless, restrictions will remain in certain places,” the Prime Minister said.
Swimming pools and sports facilities
The order of the Minister of Health also allows outdoor sports - tennis, cycling, athletics, golf, etc., subject to the following conditions:
a) mandatory temperature measurement of visitors at the entrance; persons with elevated temperatures are not admitted;
b) ensuring conditions of social distance of 2.5 meters for those waiting to enter;
c) cleaning and disinfection of water in swimming pools should be carried out in such a way that the content of residual free chlorine in the water is 0.4-0.5 mg/l;
d) toilets, locker rooms, waste containers, common areas, household appliances, premises and other objects must be cleaned and disinfected at least once an hour;
e) provision of disinfectants: liquid soap and disposable towels for use by visitors;
f) use of protective masks and gloves by personnel;
g) disinfection of objects after each visitor (umbrellas, sun loungers, chairs, lockers, etc.);
h) monitoring the facility in order to avoid crowding in common areas (locker rooms and toilets);
j) all water attractions must be closed.
Driving schools and exams
Tests for driving licenses (as well as aviation and maritime transport) can begin as early as Monday. Organizers will be required to ensure compliance with social distancing and all anti-epidemic measures, wear masks and disinfect used vehicles and other equipment. School students will also be able to begin taking exams. Regarding kindergartens and nurseries, there is no agreement yet between the government and the National Operational Headquarters.
Cancellation of the state of emergency in Bulgaria
Borisov announced that a bill to lift the state of emergency would be adopted on Monday morning. Nevertheless, some measures to combat the epidemic must remain in place. Let us remind you that on March 13, 2020, Bulgaria declared a state of emergency due to the threat of the spread of coronavirus. At the moment, all public institutions, retail outlets and fitness centers are closed, movement between areas is carried out only with a declaration for an urgent reason. Last week (May 1, 2020), the mandatory wearing of outdoor masks and the ban on visiting parks was lifted (Zapoved RD-01-247/01.05.2020) and (Reserve RD-01-248/01.05.2020).
Headquarters for the fight against coronavirus in Bulgaria
On May 2, by decision of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, regular morning briefings were canceled on the grounds that they “did more harm than good,” and a press conference was held again on Sunday with the participation of the Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Operations Headquarters, Vencislav Mutafchiyski.
Even before the first cases of coronavirus were detected in Bulgaria, the headquarters, established on February 19, held regular briefings at 8 am and 5 pm, but will now only be held in the morning. The prime minister said he was affected by reactions on social media and in the media following the decision to suspend briefings, which was interpreted as a closure of headquarters. According to him, the headquarters is working “at full speed.”
Commandment No. RD-01-249/05/03/2020 comes into force on May 4, 2020
You can follow daily news and developments of the situation with coronavirus in Bulgaria here.