Bulgaria: Bulgaria maintaining COVID-19-related measures as of Dec. 3 /update 22

Event

Authorities are maintaining international entry restrictions as of Dec. 3 as part of measures to stem the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Bulgaria permits citizens from the EU and the Schengen Area, as well as the UK, Australia, Belarus, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Serbia, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Uruguay, Serbia, Belarus, and Turkey, to enter the country without restrictions. Travelers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Kuwait, Moldova, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, and Ukraine are allowed to enter if they have tested negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours prior to arrival. All medical professionals, transport staff, foreign officials, seasonal workers, and persons traveling for humanitarian reasons will be permitted entry regardless of citizenship as long as they possess negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results. The measures will last until at least Jan. 31, 2021.

Bulgaria tightened domestic measures Nov. 27 due to increasing infection rates. The national state of epidemic emergency has been extended until Jan. 31, 2021. Large retail stores and nonessential businesses must close until at least Dec. 21; exceptions include grocery stores, pharmacies, opticians, pet stores, financial service providers, and utility service providers. Smaller retailers and essential businesses are permitted to operate but must comply with strict hygiene and social distancing requirements. Leisure facilities, cultural venues, and entertainment venues must close until Dec. 21; theaters are an exception and may operate at 30-percent capacity. Private gatherings may not exceed 15 attendees. The physical attendance of classes at all educational institutions is suspended since Nov. 27. Public and private conferences, seminars, and exhibitions are suspended.

Public, commercial, and administrative facilities are limited to a maximum capacity of one person per three square meters (32 square feet). Facemasks remain mandatory in all enclosed public spaces, including on public transport. Airports in the country remain open but are operating on a reduced schedule.

Authorities may extend or otherwise amend restrictions in the coming days in response to disease activity in the country.

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). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

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

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhoea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.