267 newly registered Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria, record number of tests performed - 6,526

267 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Bulgaria over the past 24 hours, out of a record number of PCR tests performed – 6,526, or 4.09% of all tests, indicate data of the single information portal. This brings the number of Covid-19 cases in the country since the start of the pandemic up to 8,144. The tests reached a record number because of Greece’s requirement for negative PCR tests for tourists entering the country. This led to long queues in front of laboratories in past days. 86 people have recovered over the past 24 hours, and 4 have died. 582 people with coronavirus are in hospital, 28 in ICU.

Pirogov emergency hospital starts performing PCR tests for people travelling abroad

As of 19 July, Pirogov emergency hospital in Sofia will perform PCR tests for Covid-19 for people travelling abroad, and will issue certificates in English. The testing will take place from 8 AM until 10 AM, and the results will be made available between 12 PM and 1 PM on the following day. The samples taken will be tested at a certified PCR laboratory in real time. The cost of a coronavirus test is 100 leva (around EUR 51)

Most hotels on Black Sea coast cannot fill even half of their capacity

Most of the hotels on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast have not welcomed tourists yet, and in the largest resort - Sunny Beach, only one of seven hotels has welcomed guests since the beginning of the tourist season, according to the Unified Tourist Information System. By July 6, of all 8,800 hotels and other accommodation sites by the sea, less than 2,500 have welcomed tourists, or nearly 28%. Although resorts have already welcomed holidaymakers from Germany, Poland, Romania and other countries, forecasts for the recovery of tourism are not entirely optimistic.

2020/2021 school year to start with in-person attendance

The next school year will start with in-person attendance for all pupils and all grades in a real educational environment. The decision was made at a meeting of the Ministry of Education's council of sectorial organizations. This was announced on Facebook by Diyan Stamatov, chairman of the Union of Employers within the System of Public Education. Stamatov adds that a response readiness plan will be drawn up in the event of a coronavirus case being confirmed at a school. A wide range of actions will be put forward, to be developed further at each school.

Three positive samples for Covid-19 closed sewing factory in Dimitrovgrad

Out of 300 tested workers in a Dimitrovgrad clothing factory, only two tested positive for Covid-19. Mass testing was necessary after a seamstress turned out to be infected. The plant has remained closed since Wednesday. All anti-epidemic measures have been taken by the company.

Mass checks for keeping distance in Greek resorts

Mass inspections at beaches in the tourist areas of Greece have reported many cases of non-compliance with safety regulations. The government extended restrictions until the end of July. The mandatory distance between umbrellas is 4 meters with no more than 2 sunbeds. It is forbidden for tourists to stay on bars at the beach. Orders are made only to waiters. The government say they will not close the border, but only local quarantine is possible in some places, if necessary, BNR correspondent Katya Peeva reported.

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: Gergana Mancheva