The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bulgaria at this time is 31, one of them – a woman with a heart condition – has died. The people infected are of different age. Out of the 30 people infected, 10 display no symptoms.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry announced that in spite of the state of emergency introduced in the country, Bulgaria has not introduced restrictions along its state borders with regard to Bulgarian citizens. They can enter the territory of the country wherever they may be coming from, but by a decision of the National Crisis Staff for combatting coronavirus, all people returning from high-risk countries – Italy, Spain, Iran, the Republic of Korea, China – will be placed under a 14-day quarantine.

Minister of Transport Rosen Zhelyazkov stated that Bulgaria guarantees the normal passage across its territory of transit as well as bilateral traffic. The same holds good of air and rail transport.

Health Minister Kiril Ananiev updated the set of emergency measures against coronavirus in place on the territory of Bulgaria until 29 March, 2020, adding to them the suspension of entry into shopping malls, with the exception of the bank and insurance offices, grocery stores and pharmacies in them. 

The declaration of a state of emergency led to panic-buying of food and hygiene items. Agriculture Minister Desislava Taneva gave assurances that there is no reason to panic because Bulgarian food manufacturers are able to meet domestic needs for months to come.

The mountain tourist lodges in the country are currently closed.

Sofia region is to receive a donation from the Chinese province of Jiangsu of 6,000 face masks which will arrive in this country by the end of next week.

In connection with the coronavirus, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises the following