Bulgaria’s cabinet extends emergency epidemic situation until end of June

None of the measures will be changed or tightened. Mandatory wearing of face masks in public transport remains in place. Wearing of masks in enclosed spaces is advisable. Discipline, distance and disinfection are the most important restrictions we must observe at the moment. There is nothing different. We even continue lifting restrictions and on June 15 the Bulgarian cinemas and theatres will open. They will operate at 50% of their premises’ capacity, Premier Boyko Borissov said at an extraordinary briefing today.

Borders remain closed to citizens of non-EU countries until 1 July

Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev commented that all of the orders he has issued regarding the precautionary measures introduced by the authorities remain in force until June 30. The temporary restrictions on entry into Bulgaria of citizens from third countries, with the exception of the citizens of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, also remain in place.“Regarding all other third countries outside the EU we are expecting a pan-European decision on 15 June. If borders are opened to third countries, it wouldn’t be before 1 July,” Minister Ananiev said. 

79 newly registered Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria

79 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed over the past 24 hours.The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Bulgaria is 2,889, of them 1,099 are active, according to the National Information Portal. 161 people are in hospital, 13 in intensive care. Three people with confirmed coronavirus with underlying conditions have died over the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll since the start of the epidemic to 167. The number of recoveries is 1,623, of them 36 were registered over the past 24 hours. 

Covid-19 cases near Dospat outbreak up

81 people tested positive for Covid-19. All of them are in good condition. Two people were admitted to hospital. A total of 200 PCR tests were made in Sarnitsa and 48 people were diagnosed with the coronavirus infection. No Police checkpoints will be set up in the town, but the measures for social distance remain in place. A total of 192 people were tested positive for Covid-19 in Pazardzhik district until now and 19 people were admitted to hospitals. Dr. Fani Petrova, Director of the Regional Health Inspectorate in Pazardzhik called on the people to refarain from travels to this region.

Parliament approves differentiation of VAT

The National Assembly approved definitively the reduction of VAT from 20% to 9% for restaurant and catering services, books, baby food, diapers and sanitary items. With the approval of the texts from the act on amendments to the Value Added Tax Act, at second reading, the ruling majority retains the 20% VAT rate for spirits, beer and wine served in restaurants or as part of catering services, as well as for tour operator services. The reduction in VAT is a temporary measure of support for businesses as a result of the Covid-19 crisis and will be in place until 31 December, 2021.

Without foreign tourists, 2020 could be catastrophic for Bulgarian tourism

The managing boards of tourist organizations and universities have signed a Charter of Bulgarian Tourism - 2020. The document is a roadmap for a responsible, coordinated and safe restart of Bulgarian tourism in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Polina Karastoyanova, executive director of the National Board of Tourism, told the BNR that without international tourism and without movement between countries, tourism in Bulgaria would not only not restart, but 2020 could be catastrophic.

Bulgaria has helped evacuate more than 15,000 Macedonians

“15,237 Macedonians have been evacuated because of the coronavirus epidemic and have returned to their country in the period until 5 June with the help of Bulgarian diplomacy,” said a high-ranking official from the foreign ministry in Skopje for BGNES news agency.

7,523 Macedonians returned home in the 14 March - 15 April period via Sofia Airport alone. The diplomat expressed gratitude for the 24-hour help rendered by the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry, the health authorities and border police and described it as “brotherly”. 

Most Bulgarians believe that Covid-19 threat has been contained

Nearly two-thirds of all Bulgarians think that the threat of coronavirus epidemic is exagerrated, while 39% of all respondents are of the opposite opinion, data of the latest sociological survey conducted by Gallup International show. 51% fear that a member of their family or they themselves can be infected. 48% of the polled Bulgarians say they were not afraid. According to 77% of the respondents, the Bulgarian government is coping well in the fight against Covid-19 and 38% of the surveyed Bulgarians say everyone is responsible for their health. Half of the surveyed note that their incomes fell during the crisis and 61% expect that their life will get back to normal by the end of 2020.

Pandemic increases consumer pessimism in Bulgaria

In a state of emergency, pessimism is growing in assessments compared to January. According to data of the National Statistical Institute,consumer confidence has plummeted by 17.4%. The prevailing opinion is that prices will rise in the next 12 months, and inflation expectations are high. Attitudes about the possibility of saving are pessimistic. There is also a negative attitude towards the costs of "buying a car", "buying or building a home" and making "home improvements" over the next twelve months.

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

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Compiled by: Darina Grigorova and Radio Bulgaria’s News Team