Bulgaria: Authorities to tighten COVID-19 international entry restrictions for certain travelers from May 1 /update 27

Bulgaria to tighten COVID-19-related international entry restrictions for some travelers from May 1. Domestic measures remain unchanged.

Event

Authorities in Bulgaria plan to tighten the nation's COVID-19-related entry restrictions for certain travelers. Effective May 1, travelers from India, Bangladesh, Brazil, and several African countries, including South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, are barred from entry. Citizens and permanent residents of Bulgaria, as well as their family members, are exempt from this measure. All permitted travelers must self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival.

Bulgaria generally permits citizens of the EU and the Schengen Area, as well as those of Australia, Belarus, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Serbia, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Israel UAE, UK, US, Uruguay, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Kuwait, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Ukraine, to enter the country. Exemptions are in place for essential workers from other nations.

Incoming travelers must produce one of the following documents in order to enter Bulgaria:

Certificate of vaccination against COVID-19, provided at least 14 days have passed since the administration of the second dose
Negative result from a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or antigen test taken within the previous 72 hours
Certification of having recovered from COVID-19 within six months prior to arrival

Freight transporters and aircraft crews are exempt from the aforementioned documentation requirement.

Domestic Restrictions
COVID-19-related restrictions on domestic activities remain largely unchanged. Private gatherings may not exceed 15 attendees. Public and private conferences and seminars are suspended. Public, commercial, and administrative facilities are limited to a maximum capacity of one person per 3 square meters (32 square feet). Facemasks are mandatory in all enclosed public spaces, including on public transport. Airports are open but operating on reduced schedules. The nation's COVID-19 state of emergency (SoE) will remain in force until at least May 31.

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