Greece temporarily closes Exochi-Ilinden border crossing

The Greek border authorities have informed that as of 00.00 am on July 22, 2020, no travelers will be allowed to cross the Exochi border crossing in both directions, regardless of their nationality. All types of vehicles, including cargo vehicles, will be also banned from crossing Exochi-Ilinden border checkpoint. The ban will be in force until August 3, 2020. As of 00.00 am on July 22, 2020, until August 4, 2020, foreign nationals will be allowed to enter Greece for the so-called essential reasons only via Kulata-Promachonas and Makaza-Nymphaea border crossings. Travelers are required to present the necessary documents. The Bulgarian Border Police reminds that currently tourists are able to enter Greece only via Kulata-Promachonas border crossing, provided they present a negative result of a PCR test performed up to 72 hours before their entry to Greece. The document must be translated in English and contain first, middle and surname of the traveller and number of passport or ID card.

Bulgaria is probably in the plateau of Covid-19 epidemic

100 Bulgarians died of Covid-19 in the past 4 weeks, Director of Pirogov Emergency Hospital Professor Asen Baltov told the Bulgarian National Television. This alarming statistics is due to the relaxation of anti-epidemic measures and the lack of self-discipline, Professor Baltov commented. Thus, Bulgaria is ranked third or fourth in Europe in terms of Covid-19 infection risk. Bulgaria is entering a kind of Covid-19 plateau with 300 positive tests a day. 

Autumn and winter flu season will be a test for Bulgaria’s health system

The flu season is yet to come and it will be a real challenge for us, Professor Nikolay Gabrovski, Deputy Chairman of the Bulgarian Medical Association forecasted for BTV. Bulgaria’s health system can take between 4% and 6% of the patients, Nikolay Gabrovski pointed out. In his view, the medical teams are very well trained to work with Covid-19 patients and the situation is not that stressful anymore, because doctors know how to react. The idea about mobile laboratories for Covid-19 tests has been implemented in some regions. “They are effective, but are not a panacea”, Professor Gabrovski commented.

5.03% of the 3,686 PCR tests performed over the past 24 hours have returned positive

196 new Covid-19 cases have been registered in Bulgaria over the past 24 hours, out of 3,686 PCR tests, or 5.03% of all tests performed, single information portal data show.This brings the total number of coronavirus cases in the country up to 8,929, of which 4,416 are active. 624 patients infected with coronavirus are in hospital, and 34 in ICU. Sofia has the biggest number of new cases – 85. In Varna there are 18 newly registered coronavirus cases, in Kyustendil – 13 cases. 99 people have recovered over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries up to 4,205. Eight patients infected with coronavirus have died over the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll up to 308.

Edited by: D. Grigorova and Radio Bulgaria’s news team

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