Bulgaria: Authorities to require all arrivals to present negative COVID-19 test from Jan. 29 and extend the State of Emergency until April 30 /update 20

Bulgaria extends COVID-19-related State of Emergency until April 30; certain international entry restrictions to tighten from Jan. 29.

Event

Authorities in Bulgaria are extending the nation's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) State of Emergency (SoE) and domestic restrictions until at least April 30. Additionally, certain international entry restrictions will be tightened from Jan. 29.

Starting Jan. 29 authorities will require all arrivals to present a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) no older than 72 hours upon arrival; freight transporters and aircraft crews are exempt. Previously imposed COVID-19-related travel restrictions remain in effect. Bulgaria permits citizens from the EU and the Schengen Area, as well as, Australia, Belarus, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Serbia, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Uruguay, Serbia, Belarus, Turkey, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Kuwait, Moldova, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, and Ukraine to enter the country. All travelers from the UK who are not Bulgarian citizens or permanent residents are prohibited from entering the country until at least Jan. 31 in response to a new strain of COVID-19 discovered initially in the southeast of England. Anyone who is allowed entry will have to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival from the UK.

Domestic restrictions
Authorities are easing certain restrictions starting Feb. 1. From this date, malls will be allowed to reopen; gyms will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity. Restaurants and nightclubs remain closed; restaurants at hotels are allowed to remain open at 50-percent capacity. Smaller retailers and essential businesses are permitted to operate but must comply with strict hygiene and social distancing requirements.

Private gatherings may not exceed 15 attendees. 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.