The Council of Ministers has updated the National Operational Plan for tackling the Covid-19 pandemic. The updated plan aims to reduce coronavirus morbidity and mortality, reduce the pressure on the country’s healthcare system and put in place adequate organization.

The Plan defines 5 stages taking into account 14-day incidence rates by regions and hospital occupancy rates, and puts in place the anti-epidemic measures at regional or national level.

Mask wearing becomes mandatory at Stage 2 when occupancy of hospital beds increases steadily. At Stage 2, Bulgaria introduces requirements for vaccination certificate, Covid-19 recovery certificate or Covid-19 testing for people arriving by plane from countries where the 14-day incidence rate exceeds 400 per 100 000 population.

 Stage 3 provides for teleworking for 50% of the staff where possible. Elective hospital admissions and surgeries are limited. Proof of vaccination, re-vaccination or Covid-19 testing is required for arrivals by land and water border crossings from countries with 14-day incidence rates exceeding 500 per 100,000 population. 

At Stage 4, where the health system is overloaded, the country puts in place requirements for vaccination certificate, Covid-19 recovery certificate or Covid-19 testing for all arrivals.