Bulgaria’s Minister of Health Kostadin Angelov has issued three regulations that will be in force during the emergency epidemic situation in September. They concern travels to Bulgaria, organization of education and working process

Arrivals from Turkey, Serbia and Belarus are not required to present PCR tests.

Persons who arrive from Turkey, Serbia and Belarus are allowed to enter the territory of Bulgaria without negative PCR test for Covid-19. Following Minister Angelov’s order, directors of regional health inspectorates are to cancel the quarantine requirements for people who arrived in Bulgaria from Turkey, Serbia and Belarus between August 20, 2020 and August 31, 2020.

Czech tourists to travel to Bulgaria without PCR test and quarantine as of September 1

This has been negotiated in a phone conversation between Bulgaria’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism Mariana Nikolova and the Minister of Health of Czechia Adam Vojtěch, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Tourism announced. Bulgaria is a preferred destination for family holidays by Czech tourists. In 2019 the total number of visits from this country exceeded 189,000. The decision is an excellent progress and is to help the business of the tour operators working on the Czech market, Minister Nikolova said.

Remote work is advisable

The working process of collective management bodies and of employees should be remote, or a flexible working time or shift work be adopted. This is what the regulation of Bulgaria’s Minister of Health issued on August 31 reads.

Visits to hospitals are only allowed for relatives of critically ill patients

As of September 1, 2020, visits to hospitals are only allowed for relatives of patients in terminal stages. Following Minister Angelov’s order issued on August 31, non-residents are allowed to visit specialized institutions for providing social services and institutions for residential care of children and seniors only by exception or at the discretion of their director.

Attendance learning resumes on September 15

The learning process will be conducted according to the guidelines for the system of pre-school and school education for the 2020-2021 school year amidst Covid-19 prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Health.

Attendance activities at Bulgarian universities are to be carried out according to the requirements of each university and in compliance with the general anti-epidemic measures adopted in the country. The learning process should be conducted from a distance or online where possible via the use of information and communications technologies, the regulation further reads. 

Foreign language or educational centers organized by legal and natural persons should provide their services in an electronic environment and if possible- to provide physical distance of 1.5 meters between people. They must also comply with all anti-epidemic measures.

Compiled by Elena Karkalanova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov