Several months ago, Bulgaria’s Minister of Health issued an order which made wearing of face masks in all indoor public places mandatory as a preventative measure against the spread of coronavirus. Since then people are also required to keep physical distance of at least 1.5 meters during public events. Now, three months later, these measures are still in force. The number of newly-registered Covid-19 cases continues to increase and people take prevention against Covid-19 more seriously.

Most inspections for wearing masks are made in the public transport and the intercity transport, a check of Radio Bulgaria shows. Private carriers do not allow passengers without protective equipment onboard. The cameras in Sofia’s public transport also respect passengers and make them wear face masks during their travel.

Nearly 350,000 people use Sofia’s metro line on a daily basis. These passengers are subject to most inspections – both for possessing travel documents and wearing face protection masks. Passengers using land transport in Bulgaria’s capital and other densely-populated cities are also subject to frequent checks for wearing face masks. In the past 3 months inspectors drew up more than 60 statements to passengers who failed to comply with the anti-epidemic measures adopted in the public transport. Sanctions amount to EUR 150 per person and inspections are done on a daily basis.

“I have been wearing face mask since the emergency epidemic situatiom was declared in Bulgaria. However, I noticed that many people do not wear masks correctly- they put them under their chin and do not cover their mouth and nose- Margarita Ivanova who often uses public transport with her child told Radio Bulgaria. - We wear masks to protect ourselves from the virus, although many people doubt their efficacy. In my view, it is good to wear face masks when using the public transport, because it doesn’t feel good when someone starts coughing next to you. Some passengers do not even put their hands on their mouth which happens quite often and is very outrageous.”

Young passengers seem to be more likely to ignore instructions and rules:

“Not all passengers using the public transport are trying to protect themselves from the virus, which is due to our nation’s psychology – Margarita contends. – We are not fully disciplined and put up with the irregularities quite often. However, most people wear face masks and think about others. By showing respect for others, you show respect for yourself as well.”

Ivaylo Georgiev is a student. He uses public transport on a regular basis. In his words, students going to or returning from school can be often seen without face masks.

“It does not give good impression, because young people are Bulgaria’s future. Fortunately, most of them comply with the rules and wear face masks. I do not think that things would look better if more restrictions are introduced. It rather depends on the personal responsibility. Sanctions have the opposite effect and less people would wear masks as a sign of protest. Otherwise, Bulgarian students are disciplined and many of them wear masks in classrooms, although wearing masks there is not mandatory.”

Dimana Hristova also thinks that Bulgarians comply with the rules:

“I wear mask in the public transport, but most people wear face masks as well. I had to travel abroad during the pandemic and I noticed that we are more disciplined as compared to other nations. Bulgarians have good taste and show style when choosing their face masks. I see people wearing masks with different design. Many of them wear funny masks as well.”

English version: Kostadin Atanasov