Health minister does not plan extension of emergency epidemic situation beyond 30 June

“There does not exist a situation in the country at the moment which would justify a proposal, by the health minister, to extend the emergency epidemic situation beyond 30 June,” said Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev for Darik Radio. However, he pointed out that the observance of the principal anti-epidemic measures will remain in place – wearing masks in medical establishments, pharmacies and on public transport vehicles, as well as the requirement not to exceed 50% of the attendance capacity of theatre and concert halls. In Minister Ananiev’s words Bulgaria is among the countries with the fewest people infected – around 5%.

81 new Covid-19 cases out of 2,371 tests confirmed over past 24 hours

81 of the 2,371 tests for coronavirus performed over the past 24 hours have come back positive. The biggest number of cases, 28, has been registered in Sofia, indicate data of the National Information System. The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country to date is 3,755, of them 1,554 are active. 314 patients with confirmed coronavirus have been hospitalized, 17 are in intensive care units. A total of 314 cases have been registered among medical staff, 8 over the past 24 hours. The total number of deaths is 193, of them 3 over the past 24 hours. The number of recoveries to date is 2,008, of them 67 over the past 24 hours.

False start for the summer tourist season in Bulgaria

A charter flight with tourists, planned for Sunday, 21 June, which was to be the first flight to this country for this summer tourist season, has been cancelled,Beyzat Tunali, TEZTOUR regional manager for Bulgaria said for bgtourism.bg. The flight was to arrive in Bourgas on the Black Sea with tourists from Riga. The decision to cancel the flight was made in Latvia because of the spike in the number of newly registered coronavirus cases in Bulgaria.

Cyprus no longer requires Covid-19 negative certificate for Bulgarians

Despite the spike in the number of coronavirus cases in this country over the past week, Bulgaria is still on Cyprus’ list of top low-risk group of countries. As of Saturday, 20 June, Cyprus will no longer require a Covid-19 negative certificate for Bulgarian citizens arriving in the country.

Municipalities dependent on tourism have highest unemployment rate over Covid-19

The effect of the economic crisis on the labour market during the months of pandemic varies in the different parts of the country, indicates an analysis by the Institute for Market Economics. Regions where, as a rule, labour market dynamics are less pronounced are less affected. In terms of absolute numbers of unemployed registered, it is the big municipalities that are top of the list – Sofia, Varna, Plovdiv and Bourgas. However, percentage-wise, unemployment has spiked most in municipalities, whose economies are largely dependent on tourism. For  the March-May period, unemployment was 13.1% in the mountain resort of Bansko, and 12.5% in its neighbouring town of Razlog. Unemployment levels are also high in towns known for their natural curative water – Hissarya, Velingrad, Pavel Banya and Sandanski.

Bulgarians from all over the world take part in online instead of live festival due to coronavirus

The first of its kind two-day virtual festival “In the square of the other Bulgaria” was launched in Verona, Italy. Bulgarian folklore, presented by Bulgarians from all corners of the globe will be streamed on YouTube. This is the first online edition of the event since 2015 when it was held for the first time in Lyon, France.

CSKA-Sofia vs. Levski:  First football derby since start of pandemic

The first derby between the football teams of CSKA-Sofia and Levski after the state of emergency in the country took place this Saturday in Sofia. The police announced that they are relying on the self-discipline of the football fans to observe the anti-epidemic measures. 

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova

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