Health Authorities discuss lifting of quarantine upon entry in Bulgaria

The health authorities are studying the possibility of abolishing the mandatory 14-day quarantine for Bulgarian and foreign citizens entering Bulgaria. This was announced by the Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev earlier today. Changes to the list of prohibited activities, including access to playgrounds and the resumption of the work of the private training centers are actively discussed, Angel Kunchev said further. He also pointed out that the main measures that affect the activity of each person, especially indoors, such as disinfection, personal hygiene and the obligation to wear protective masks in closed public places will remain in place for a long time.

Bulgaria and Italy to cooperate in coronavirus studies

The signing of an agreement for the exchange of technologies and ideas between the Military Medical Academy in Sofia and the San Matteo Teaching Hospital in Pavia, Italy is being prepared. The Italian hospital is actively working on а concept for treatment of coronavirus patients with hyperimmune plasma. 

Part of the research of Italian immunologists includes quantitative analysis of the level of antibodies based on freshly frozen plasma, the same procedure is being studied in Sofia's Military Medical Academy. This was stated at a briefing by the chairman of the operational headquarters Gen. Mutafchiyski. 

According to research, the greatest saturation of antibodies in Covid-19 patients is seen up to a month after the disease, and by the third month there is a sharp decline. This confirms the thesis of instability of immunity to Covid-19.

39% of Covid-19 patients in Bulgaria have recovered

For the past 24 hours in Bulgaria 17 new cases of Covid-19 have been registered, out of 1,273 studied samples. With them the total number of those registered with coronavirus is 2,477.The increase for the last 24 hours is 0.7%. 198 people are hospitalized, 20 patients are in intensive care units. 255 people are infected among the medical staff. The active cases of the infection in Bulgaria are 1,378. The total number of people who died with Covid-19 is 134. 53 people have been cured in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 965, or 39% of those infected.

Nearly 240,000 jobs to be saved thanks to 60/40 measure

Almost 240,000 jobs will be saved thanks to the "60/40" measure, Bulgaria's Ministry of Labour and Social Policy has announced. A total of 14,351 applications have already been received from employers for compensation for maintaining the jobs of their employees. The Council of Ministers has decided to extend the application period for state aid until June 30, and the payments - until the end of July, but they are paid for a period not longer than 3 months. The compensations for salaries and insurances paid so far to the business sector are nearly BGN 53 million (EUR 27 million).

State of emergency in Bulgaria regulated by 59 orders of Healthcare Minister

59 are the orders issued by Bulgaria's Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev for the period of the state of emergency due to Covid-19, and their issuance continues after the repeal of the so-called Law on the state of emergency in the country and the introduction of the epidemic emergency situation. These documents have been amended, supplemented, changed and revoked, causing regulatory confusion, said in an interview with the BNR lawyer Ivana Murdzheva. She pointed out that there is currently a legal situation in which the Administrative Court hears cases initiated by orders that no longer exist.

2/3 of Bulgarians ready to travel after pandemic: survey

63.7% of Bulgarians are planning to travel immediately or up to 2 months after the restrictions are lifted. 65.6% say they will travel as often as before the pandemic, and 10.5% - even more often. The first destination 54% of the respondents say they plan to travel to is Bulgaria, indicates a survey by the Varna University of Management and Cardiff Metropolitan University. 28.4% plan to travel abroad. 45.7% say they will go on holiday, and only 7.1%  - on business. For 55.7% the preferred mode of transport is their car, almost 30% say they will fly. 

European Commission offers Bulgaria over EUR 9 billion for recovery

The European Commission offers Bulgaria an access to EUR 9.282 billion from the Recovery and Resilience Facility after the Covid-19 epidemic. Bulgaria will receive grants to the tune of EUR 6.131 billion and will be able to borrow another EUR 3.151 billion. The loans will be paid off by the EU members depending on the amount of their contributions to the EU budget. The funds will be allocated in separate installments under the national programs for reforms. The money must be allotted in line with the EU objectives for carbon-free economy and digitalization. In June, the European Council will discuss the proposals. The loans are expected to be repaid until 2058 and the countries will pay only interest rates until 2027. The information announced earlier that Bulgaria may receive EUR 15 billion was only indicative, the EC specified.

Compiled by: Darina Grigorova and Radio Bulgaria’s News Team

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