A decision on whether to ease restrictions will be made by 21 January. At a meeting, the prime minister, the members of the cabinet and of the national operational headquarters stated that if there is a re-surge of coronavirus cases and serious pressure on medical establishments, the restrictions will be re-considered and tightened once again, BGNES reports.

"The lasting tendency of a drop in the number of coronavirus cases will make possible the return to in-person schooling of 5th to 12th grade pupils following a designated scheme as of 4 February, the beginning of the second school term," PM Boyko Borissov said. 

He stated that restaurants must be able to work until 10.30 PM at half-capacity, and that stores in shopping malls must reopen.