Additional anti-epidemic measures come into force in Bulgaria as of October 29

As of Thursday, October 29, additional anti-epidemic measures are being introduced in the country.

From October 29, for 14 days (ie until November 12), with Order issued today, October 27, the Minister of Health introduces the following anti-epidemic measures on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria:

- The in-person attendance classes for the students in the high school stage of education are suspended;

- The in-person attendance process in universities is suspended;

- The group extracurricular activities and in-person attendance classes in language centres, educational centres and others, organised by legal entities and individuals, are suspended. Exceptions are allowed for activities of interest and activities for students in primary and lower secondary education;

- The attendance classes in the centres for support of personal development are suspended;

- The holding of congress-conference events, seminars, exhibitions and other public events is allowed providing no more than 30 participants attend;

- It is allowed to hold cultural and entertainment events (theatres, cinemas, stage events, concerts, classes in dance, creative and musical arts) providing the seat occupancy is up to 30%;

- Group and individual sports events with training and competitive nature indoors and outdoors will be held without audience. An exception is allowed for the international tennis tournament Sofia Open 2020.The spectators will only be allowed to sit at a distance of at least two seats away from each other;

- Visits to discos, piano bars, night bars, clubs and other similar nightclubs for indoor entertainment are suspended;

- Catering and entertainment establishments (restaurants, fast food establishments, drinking establishments, cafes and bars, except nightclubs) are required to maintain a distance of 1.5 m between the backs of chairs from two adjacent tables. No more than 6 people per table are allowed.

- The owners and managers of facilities for public use, commercial, administrative and other sites providing services to members of the public are required to ensure that there is no more than 1 person per 3 square metres in the site;

- excursions and group visits to tourist sites is suspended;

- In all market places and open-air and indoor bazaars, the traffic will be in one way and providing a distance of 1.5 m between visitors. Workers and visitors are required to wear protective face masks;

- The same ministerial order states that the suspension of the planned admission to hospitals in the districts in the red and orange zone does not apply to rehabilitation, long-term treatment and psychiatric care.