Coronavirus: Stricter measures in place

Bulgaria’s Health Minister introduces stricter measures Bulgaria’s Health Minister Kiril Ananiev on March 20 announced new measures being taken to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Visits to parks, public gardens, sports grounds and playgrounds and outdoor and indoor facilities are discontinued.

Pet owners will be able to take out their pets for a walk, but it is forbidden to gather in groups.

The authorities of the Ministry of Interior will organize checkpoints at the entry and exit roads of the major cities and will check the purpose of the citizens' travel.

Persons will be allowed to travel in the event of urgency due to a proven need for work, health reasons, return to their current or permanent address or home. This will be verified with a note from the employer, medical documents or ID document.

It is forbidden for persons under the age of 60 to visit supermarkets, food shops and pharmacies daily from 8:30 am to 10:30 am.

If the result of the measures is negative, they will be further tightened, said Kiril Ananiev.

People leaving their homes will have to accept personal responsibility.

Health Minister Kiril Ananiev said the idea of these restrictions was not to interfere with business. Lorries carrying foods, medicines and mail will not be stopped and restricted.

"We do not want to impede business, especially those who supply essential goods and services," Ananiev said.

Businesses, however, must provide notes for their employees as soon as possible.

Interior Minister Mladen Marinov said the organization for the travel between the district cities would take effect tonight at 00 o'clock. The recommendation is that within two days, all those who work in places outside the district cities should receive their employer-assurance notes that they work at that location so that the inspection bodies can let them through the points.

He recommended that within two days, people arrange the documents they would need to show to enable them to be allowed to travel between cities, including the proof of their place of employment.

The call is on all citizens to strictly comply with the provisions and continue to respect the rules, which will make it easier for the MoI when they need to identify quarantined and persons who were in contact with coronavirus cases.

If the measures are not complied with, further guidance will be given.

"Let us allow elderly people to do their shopping quickly and go home because they are the most vulnerable group," the Interior Minister said.

The minister said the measures would be in force until the date for the State of Emergency, April 13, but could be extended