Bulgaria: Authorities to ease certain domestic COVID-19 restrictions starting April 1 /update 24

Bulgaria to ease some domestic COVID-19 restrictions starting April 1. International entry restrictions remain in place.

Event

Authorities in Bulgaria plan to ease certain domestic COVID-19-related restrictions. Starting April 1, cinemas, theaters, museums, galleries, and libraries, as well as fitness centers, gyms, fitness clubs, and swimming pools will be allowed to reopen; such establishments will be limited to 30 percent occupancy, however. Restaurants, and other dining establishments will be allowed to resume outdoor operations between 06:00-23:00 daily. From April 1-12, stores that have retail floor space areas of over 300 square meters (3,200 square feet) and offer nonfood items will be allowed to serve customers in outdoors areas adjacent to the establishment. Starting April 5, kindergartens and nurseries may resume operating.

Other existing restrictions remain in place as of March 30. 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 are open but operating on reduced schedules. 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, North Macedonia, and Ukraine, to enter the country. Upon arrival, all incoming travelers are required to present a negative result from a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (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 PCR test at the end of the 10 days; the self-isolation ends if the test is negative.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

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.