Coronavirus: Entry into and exit out of Sofia banned as of midnight on April 16

Speaking at an extraordinary briefing late in the evening on April 16, the head of the national coronavirus task force, Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, said that many people have been leaving Sofia for the Easter holidays and Sofia is now the centre of the coronavirus outbreak.

"All these people leaving Sofia are going all over the country. This leads to an even more severe epidemiological situation with unclear consequences. The process continues. The task force is extremely concerned about the potential spread of the disease. As a result, the task force proposed that traffic into and out of Sofia be prohibited. The Prime Minister accepted the proposed measure and instructed the Minister of Health to issue the appropriate order," said Prof. Mutafchiyiski.

Health Minister Kiril Ananiyev said he had signed the order banning the entry and exit of vehicles from Sofia as of 00:01 on April 17 until further notice.

Exceptions will be made for lorries, which are required to prove the necessity of the trip through presenting the relevant documents. All special purpose vehicles, vehicles carrying citizens in need of treatment, have the right to pass through the capital city. Citizens in need of treatment are required to indicate the hospital or facility where they will be treated.

Vehicles carrying medical personnel who go to work will also be allowed in and out of the city.The ban also does not apply to the emergency vehicles of the electricity distribution companies and the water supply and sewerage companies, as well as the companies involved in Internet and television broadcasting.

This restriction does not apply to company cars that transport workers who need to get to their work places. The driver of the vehicle must indicate the company and the manager's telephone number. If a worker is travelling with his personal vehicle, in the declarations he/she is required to indicate the enterprise and the manager's telephone number, setting a timetable for leaving or entering the territory of Sofia. The entry schedule is from 6:00 am to 8:00 am and the return is from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. After these hours, traffic of people with private cars who go to work is not allowed.

Intercity bus services will also be temporarily stopped until further notice.

Interior Minister Mladen Marinov said police were put to extreme humiliation by people who neglect the danger. Over 5,000 cars have been turned around by police. Stricter controls on the declarations required at the in and out checkpoints are introduced.