Еmergency situation in Bulgaria officially extended until June 30

With a decision of the Council of Ministers from today, the emergency epidemic situation in the country is extended until June 30, 2020. According to the previous decision, it should have ended on June 14.  The Council of Ministers notes that the measures taken by the state have yielded good results.

The decision states that the prolongation of the emergency epidemic situation will help, by applying temporary anti-epidemic measures, including a ban on entry into the country and quarantine of persons who have entered Bulgaria from countries with high incidence of Covid-19 and significant epidemic spread, to delay and limit the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic in Bulgaria.

Number of new Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria decrease in past 24 hours

93 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours.  2,640 PCR tests were made in this country during this period, the Single Coronavirus Information Portal informs. The total number of Covid-19 cases rose to 3,086, of which 1,230 are active. 204 people are receiving treatment for Covid-19 in hospitals. 15 Bulgarians with coronavirus infection are in intensive-care units.

An 88-year-old patient with underlying health conditions passed away in the past 24 hours. The total Covid-19 death toll rose to 168 people. 24 patients recovered from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. A total of 1,688 people were cured from the novel coronavirus until now.

Access to the village of Izgrev, Shumen district, has been restricted. Police checkpoints were set up at the entrance of the village due to the local outbreak of Covid-19. People are not allowed to leave the village without a good reason.

No more Covid-19 restrictions to be introduced in Bulgaria

We are not planning to introduce restrictions due to the coronavirus epidemic anymore. The virus is not that strong as in February or March, Bulgaria’s Premier Boyko Borissov said. On June 15 we are to ease the measures even further. Our aim is to lift all restrictions by June 30, Premier Borissov said. Only 5% of all Bulgarians produced antibodies against Covid-19 so far, but we don’t want to remain locked. There is a risk, we are on the edge, but we should get used to protecting ourselves. This virus will not disappear soon, Boyko Borissov said. Any future vaccination will be voluntary, Premier Borissov said on occasion of the protests of Covid-19 anti-vaxxers.

Anti-epidemic measures in village of Yasenovets tighten again

By order of the mayor of Razgrad municipality, northeastern Bulgaria, anti-epidemic measures are being introduced in the village of Yasenovets, which will be in force until June 24. In addition to wearing masks in indoor and outdoor public places, a physical distance of at least 1.5 metres is in force. Gatherings and celebrations are forbidden. Violators will be fined.

Due to confirmed cases of coronavirus on May 15, the village was placed under quarantine, which was removed on May 26.

Covid-19 stresses and disciplines Bulgaria’s teenagers

Anxiety among Bulgaria’s teenagers (15-19 years) increased two-fold as compared to the period before the Covid-19 crisis. Boredom among teenagers increased five times. Anger increased 3 times and frustration rose 5 times. Feelings of nostalgia, sorrow and loneliness among Bulgaria’s teenagers increased 4 times, a research of UNICEF shows. 80% of the teenagers prefer to watch videos in the social networks during the social isolation. 73% of the respondents said that they have started to do some housework. 80% of them say they are responsible and observe the restrictive measures. 64% of the teenagers do not go outside, the survey further reads. 89% of them wear face masks if they go out.

Half of the respondents say online education is stressful. Two thirds tend to believe that coronavirus is a controlled experiment with new biological weapon and 16% believe that there is connection between Covid-19 and 5G.

Bulgarian rose producers to receive state aid over Covid-19 crisis

One of the most affected sectors in agriculture so far is the production and processing of rose blossoms and it must be supported. This was said by the Minister of Agriculture Desislava Taneva at a meeting of rose growers in the town of Klisura, Southern Bulgaria. She said that the Covid-19 measure envisages that rose growers will be compensated for the closed distribution channels for their production.

Covid-19 has not delayed Belene NPP project

Despite the Covid-19 crisis, the procedure for construction of Belene nuclear power plant has not stopped even for a moment, Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova said in Parliament. All five companies from Russia, China, South Korea, the USA and France have confirmed their intentions to submit binding offers and participate at the procedure for selection of a strategic investor. The next step is to allow candidates to the so-called data room, where the whole information of the technical project is kept, Minister Petkova said.

OECD: Second wave of Covid-19 will shrink the Bulgarian economy by over 8%

The Bulgarian economy grew before the pandemic, but in 2020 it is facing its most serious contraction since the late 1990s. In the most favourable scenario with the epidemic subsiding by the summer, its production will shrink by 7.1% in 2020, and in 2021 the economy will grow.

However, if the country is hit by a second wave of coronavirus, it will shrink its economy by about 8% this year and by another 0.3% in 2021. This is indicated by the forecast of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for Bulgaria (according to the European Commission by 7.2% and according to the government by 3%).

According to the analysis, a restart of the economy may require more political support. Unemployment could rise, especially if the government's wage subsidy scheme ends in July without being replaced by new employment policies.

 Mobile labour offices to start operating on Monday

As of Monday, June 15, the Employment Agency will resume the provision of services through mobile labour offices to facilitate the registered unemployed citizens in remote towns and villages. Their activities were suspended due to the coronavirus. The Agency states that it will not serve citizens who have not complied with the mandatory 14-day quarantine period after returning from high-risk countries.

Compiled by Elena Karkalanova and Radio Bulgaria's News Team

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