Bulgaria: Authorities to tighten domestic COVID-19 restrictions March 22-31 /update 23

Bulgaria to tighten some COVID-19-domestic restrictions March 22-31. International entry restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities plan to tighten certain domestic COVID-19 related restrictions in late March. From March 22-31, all catering establishments and nonessential businesses within malls will be closed. In addition, fitness centers and gyms, swimming pools, cinemas, theaters, and museums will also closed.

Authorities are also maintaining several domestic restrictions as of March 18. 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 3 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. The nation's COVID-19 State of Emergency (SoE) will remain in force until at least April 30.

Local authorities have the authority to amend measures and impose additional restrictions; as a result, tighter restrictions may be in force in certain areas.

International entry restrictions
Bulgaria permits citizens of the EU and the Schengen Area, as well as Australia, Belarus, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Serbia, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Kuwait, Moldova, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, and Ukraine, to enter the country. Upon arrival, all incoming travelers are required to present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within the past 72 hours; freight transporters and aircraft crews are exempt.

All travelers entering from any African country must self-isolate for at least 10 days upon their arrival. These persons must take a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at the end of the 10 days; the self-isolation ends if the test is negative.

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

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.