Bulgaria: Authorities extend epidemic emergency until June 30 due to COVID-19 /update 12

Event

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov announced on Wednesday, June 10, that the government will extend an epidemic emergency until June 30 due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Borissov said that the country does not currently have plans to reintroduce any restrictions; however, he has urged citizens to respect social distancing rules and wear face masks.

Bulgaria lifted the mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement for arrivals from most EU countries from June 1. The quarantine period remains obligatory for arrivals from Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Malta, and the UK, as those countries continue to face large COVID-19 outbreaks. A ban on arrivals from outside the EU remains in place, although exemptions are in place for citizens of the Schengen zone, the UK, San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, Serbia, and North Macedonia.

Additionally, Bulgarian authorities allowed restaurants, bars, and cafes to reopen from June 1. The permission to resume operations has not applied to clubs, discos, and piano bars. However, entertainment and cultural events, such as concerts, theaters, and stage performances have been allowed to resume.

As of June 10, authorities have confirmed 2889 cases of COVID-19 in the country and 167 associated deaths. 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.