Free movement in EU expected to be resumed after June 15

“We expect a full recovery of free movement in the European Union,” Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva has announced. The gradual recovery began first with neighbouring countries, then with countries in a similar epidemic situation. “I hope for a full recovery of movement after June 15.” The first stage was the lifting of the 14-day quarantine for business activities. Some investments in Bulgaria have been delayed. Some families have been separated for 2 months. 85% of the protective equipment is made in China, as are over 80% of the antibiotics. “The next step is to return some of these productions in the EU. We must be able to rely on each other within the EU,” Zaharieva added.

Fans allowed to attend football matches at stadiums  as of 5 June

Health Minister Kiril Ananiev has issued an order, by force of which, as of 5 June, 2020, fans will be allowed to attend matches from the first and second professional football league championship with an occupancy of up to 30% of the seating capacity and seating at least two seats apart.

Number of recovered Covid-19 patients exceeds number of new infections

During the past 24 hours, 19 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Bulgaria. Among the newly infected are a 14-year-old child and a pregnant woman, as well as a nurse. The total number of persons diagnosed with coronavirus has reached 2,538. The increase over the last 24 hours is by 0.8%. 1,271 patients are under medical supervision. 259 of those infected are medical professionals or 10% of all cases. 33 patients have been discharged. The ratio of recovered to newly infected persons is 44%. There have been 4 new deaths over the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 144. The average age of fatalities is 68 years.

We are entering a stage in which the epidemic is subsiding, said Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev from the National Operations Headquarters. “The number of tests will be increased, because when the epidemic is subsiding, all clusters of the coronavirus must be detected at an early stage. More than 60,000 samples have been taken so far in the country,” he added.

British carriers, tour operators demand unrestricted flights to Bulgaria

Bulgaria is on the list of top holiday destinations to which flights from the UK should be allowed in the summer. The list has been compiled by the three largest airlines in the United Kingdom and includes 45 countries. It is also supported by over 200 tourist companies on the island. The request to the government urges the authorities to abandon plans to introduce a 14-day quarantine for all passengers arriving from these countries after June 8. That would prevent millions of Britons from travelling abroad for their traditional holidays. In addition, these are destinations where the incidence of Covid-19 is much lower than in the UK, the letter reads.

Pandemic postpones program for return of Bulgarian experts

Applying for the incentive measure, under the Human Resources Development Operational Program, targeted at Bulgarian experts who want to return to this country to work, has been postponed until 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The EUR 5 million earmarked for this year will be rechanneled for emergency measures against the rising unemployment. At the same time many Bulgarians living and working abroad are reported to be returning to this country. The program envisaged that university graduates who return to work in Bulgaria would receive EUR 600 a month for the duration of a year if they work in a town where salaries are below the national average.

More than 5,000 people used interest-free loans because of Covid-19

The average amount of interest-free loans taken out by individuals in difficulty due to Covid-19 is about BGN 4,300 (EUR 2,199), the Bulgarian Development Bank reports. The program in support of people who are on unpaid leave are self-employed started in late April. The maximum amount that can be withdrawn under this measure is EUR 2,300. By the end of May, the applications of over 5,000 people were approved and loans totaling about 11 million euros were provided.

"United against Covid-19” fund helps 700,000 people in need

The fund, which brings together several organizations, has raised BGN 1 million (around EUR 500,000), money used to implement projects in 300 towns and villages. “United against Covid-19” was set up on 9 April and concluded its activities on 31 May but the organizations which are part of it stand ready to continue rendering assistance,” Krasimira Velichkova, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Donors Forum for the BNR.

Edited by Darina Grigorova + Radio Bulgaria’s “News” team, 

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