Bulgarian cabinet extends the epidemic situation until July 31

The emergency epidemic situation in Bulgaria has been extended until July 31, the Bulgarian cabinet decided. The previous extension was voted on June 26 and expires at midnight on July 15.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be a severe public health emergency nationally and globally. The prolongation of the epidemic emergency situation related to the spread of Covid-19 on the territory of the country will make it possible to strengthen the implementation of temporary anti-epidemic measures in order to limit the spread of the disease and protect the lives and health of citizens, the decision of the government reads.

Bulgarian Medical Association insists that special points for Covid-19 tests be set up

The Bulgarian Medical Association insists that emergency points for Covid-19 tests be set up in this country. Patients with suspected coronavirus disease should be tested at these points. The special offices where PCR tests are performed must not be on the premises of the hospitals. Thus, the risk of infecting other hospitalized patients will be avoided, the Bulgarian Medical Association contends. According to Bulgaria’s Ministry of Health, there is no need to set up such points at this stage.

33-year-old old Bulgarian wrestler dies of Covid-19

33-year-old Bulgarian wrestler Nikolay Shterev who is a former member of Bulgaria’s National Wrestling Team has lost the battle against Covid-19. Shterev passed away at a Sofia-based hospital on Wednesday morning. The athlete was admitted to hospital one month ago due to complications of Covid-19 and was placed on a mechanical ventilator. He has been in coma in the past three weeks. Nikolay Shterev is the son of Bulgaria’s legendary wrestler and coach Simeon Shterev who recovered from the virus.

Nikolay Shterev won Dan Kolov international wrestling tournament in 2011 in the 125 kilogram category. In 2018 he became national wrestling champion. In 2019 Nikolay Shterev was handed a four-year ban after he tested positive for the illegal substance Cardarine which practically ended his sports career.

4.79% of PCR tests in past 24 hours are positive

A total of 234 new cases of coronavirus infection have been detected after 4,885 PCR tests performed, which means that 4.79% of coronavirus tests were positive in the past 24 hours. This is shown by the data on the Unified Information Portal.

The highest number of newly registered cases is in Sofia - 99, followed by Plovdiv - 24 and Blagoevgrad - 19. A total of 146 people have recovered in the past 24 hours and 7 people passed away. There are 27 people in intensive care units. The number of active cases is 3,699.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in Bulgaria, a total of 184,560 PCR tests have been performed, out of which 7,645 were positive, or 4.14% of the total number of tests, according to the national information system for combating Covid-19.

Travellers required to present negative PCR tests at Kulata-Promachonas border crossing as of today

As of today, EU citizens including Bulgarian nationals travelling to Greece via Kulata-Promachonas border crossing are required to show proof of negative PCR tests translated in English. The form must contain first, middle and surname of the passengers and number of their ID card or passport. The certificate must be issued by a laboratory authorized to perform PCR tests. They will continue making random PCR tests at the border. People travelling to Greece also present a QR code generated after submitting a Passenger Locator Form- PLF. Only seasonal workers are allowed to cross other border checkpoints at the Bulgaria-Greece border. These measures are in force until July 29 and may be extended further.

The number of people willing to spend their summer holiday in Greece decreased after this country introduced the requirement for negative PCR tests. Car traffic at Kulata-Promachonas border crossing is normal. However, cargo traffic is more intense.

No quarantine for arrivals from United Kingdom from July 16

As of July 16, all persons arriving from the following third countries can enter Bulgaria without a mandatory 14-day quarantine and without a PCR test:  Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Iceland, Kingdom of Norway, Switzerland, Principality of Liechtenstein, Republic of San Marino, Principality of Andorra, Principality of Monaco, the Vatican, Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and Ukraine.

A PCR test is also not required for persons arriving from EU Member States and the Schengen area countries, with the exception of Sweden and Portugal. We continue to work with the British government to lift the quarantine in the United Kingdom for persons arriving from Bulgaria, Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva wrote on Facebook.

Hungary introduces 14-day quarantine for people arriving from Bulgaria

On July 15 the Hungarian government introduces a classification of countries into "red", "yellow" and "green" categories based on the severity of the coronavirus situation in each of them. Bulgaria is on the list of "yellow" countries whose citizens are subject to medical examination at the border and a 14-day mandatory quarantine. The requirement for self-isolation can be avoided only with two negative Covid-19 tests from the previous five days.

Bulgaria’s cabinet approves agreement with EU on Covid-19 vaccines

Bulgaria’s cabinet has approved an agreement with the European Commission. Bulgaria has authorized the EU to sign preliminary agreements on the purchase of Covid-19 vaccine from producers on behalf of the EU member states. The initiative of the Commission aims to guarantee the member states enough dozes of antiviral vaccines against the Covid-19 pandemic. Vaccination policies remain at the discretion of the member states and are not regulated by the agreement. Bulgaria will officially become party to the agreement after its ratification in Parliament. 

Bulgaria launches renewed 60/40 wage support scheme

As of July 15 Bulgarian employers can start filing applications for state aid to maintain employment under the renewed 60/40 wage support scheme. The measure was extended until September 30, 2020. Compensations will be paid for July, August and September to the tune of 60% of the insurable earnings in May 2020 and 60% of the social security contributions owed by the employer. The companies must prove that their revenues decreased with 20% as compared to the same period in 2019 and must have declared their obligations for 2020. Nearly 300,000 people are expected to keep their jobs due to the extension of this measure. More than 160,000 employees retained their jobs in the previous three months due to the 60/40 wage support scheme. Over EUR 75 million has been paid until now to 20,225 Bulgarian companies under the 60/40 wage support scheme .

The European Commission approves extension of aid measures in Bulgaria

The European Commission has announced that it has approved two measures proposed by Bulgaria to help employment in the context of the Covid-19 crisis. The approval is done under the temporarily eased state aid rules.

The first measure extends and renews the 60/40 wage support scheme. The measure is extended until the end of the year and will also encompass persons employed in education and healthcare. The initially approved budget of EUR 750 million for the 60/40 measure is maintained.

The second measure, with a budget of 20 m euros, is a monthly allowance of 150 euros for the self-employed in transport, tourism, hotels and restaurants.

The news about Covid-19 today gave way to the public discontent going on for the 7th consecutive day across the country as well as the demonstrations for and against the government, and rallies in support of the prime minister and the president. You will find the major headlines related to these developments in the News section on our website.

You can find all stories and important publications related to COVID-19 in Bulgaria at our special coverage section in English.

You can also follow all latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak and all measures in Bulgaria in 9 more languages at Radio Bulgaria.

Compiled by Diana Tsankova and Radio Bulgaria's News Team