Bulgaria: Unions representing restaurant owners and workers will lead a protest in central Sofia Jan. 27

Event

Unions representing restaurant owners and workers will lead a protest in Sofia from 1200 Jan. 27 to denounce coronavirus disease (COVID-19) measures that impact their businesses. Participants will gather outside the Council of Ministers on Knyaz Aleksandar Dondukov Boulevard in the city center. Attendance will likely not exceed the low hundreds.

Additional police will likely deploy to monitor the action; related security measures could prompt localized disruptions. Current COVID-19 measures in Bulgaria restrict public gatherings, and police will likely single out individuals deemed to be breaching these restrictions; arrests are possible. Any significant violations of COVID-19 protocols could prompt police to disperse the protest; however, the event will likely proceed peacefully.

Advice

Avoid the protest as a routine security precaution. Allow extra time to complete journeys in central Sofia Jan. 27.