Bulgaria: Government allows restaurants, bars, cafes to reopen from June 1 /update 10

Event

Bulgarian authorities will allow restaurants, bars, and cafes to reopen from Monday, June 1, as they ease restrictions that were introduced due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The permission to resume operations as of June 1 does not apply to clubs, discos, and piano bars. However, entertainment and cultural events, such as concerts, theaters, and stage performances will be allowed to resume. Indoors dance classes will also be permitted as long as no more than 30 percent of capacity is used, while outdoor dance classes must maintain a 50 percent capacity limit.

The Bulgarian government announced on Thursday, May 21, additional easing of COVID-19 restrictions for EU and Schengen visa zone countries. Bulgarian citizens and EU citizens who are traveling for humanitarian reasons, as well as, individuals employed in construction, maintenance, operations, and ensuring the safety of the infrastructure in Bulgaria will be exempt from a 14-day quarantine period on arrival. Restrictions on citizens from San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, and the Vatican City were also lifted. 

On Tuesday, May 19, the Bulgarian government announced that it had agreed to ease some travel restrictions for travelers arriving from Greece and Serbia from June 1. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov stated that travelers arriving from Greece and Serbia may enter the country without undergoing an obligatory 14-day quarantine period if they are entering for business, family, or humanitarian purposes.

As of Wednesday, May 27, authorities have confirmed 2460 cases of COVID-19 and 133 associated deaths in Bulgaria. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term. 

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.