Covid-19: Bulgaria extends state of epidemic emergency until April 30

After the working meeting with members of the government, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on January 26 convened an extraordinary government meeting, at which a decision was made to extend the state of epidemic emergency until April 30.

The PM ordered the Health Minister to draw up an order clearly setting out the deadlines for the gradual easing of the anti-epidemic measures.

Regarding the work of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, Prime Minister Borissov asked the Minister of Health to hold a meeting with their representatives and discuss possible solutions for the industry.

One of the possible options is for them to re-open in early February at 50% capacity and with working hours until 22.30, in which case the risk is that they will be closed again if the epidemic situation worsens. Another option for restaurants, bars and nightclubs is to re-open from March 1, and until then they are supported by funds granted by notification.

At the working meeting, the members of the government informed the Prime Minister that the support provided by the Cabinet for preserving jobs and helping businesses in Bulgaria since the beginning of the pandemic to date amounts to nearly BGN 2 billion.

With the measures already paid under the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, amounting to about BGN 1 billion, 300,000 jobs have been preserved and the risk of a double increase in unemployment in the country has been prevented. As a result, at the end of last year, unemployment in Bulgaria reached its lowest level since the end of the state of emergency in May, and currently continues to be below 7%.

According to the Ministry of the Economy, the amount of funds that have reached the business is BGN 550 million, with further BGN 440 million in the payment process.

The Minister of the Economy Lachezar Borissov pointed out that under the measure implemented by the National Revenue Agency, for the implementation of which legislative changes were necessary, the payments of the funds to the business are already underway.

"8,163 companies will receive nearly BGN 116 million under this measure. The payment of the reserve list from the procedure for support of micro-enterprises is currently underway. More than 21,000 companies have already been supported under it with BGN 173 million. We promised the business that the reserve lists would also be revised. At the moment, the payment is underway to them as well. Some 3,354 micro companies will receive BGN 26 million," Minister Borissov said.

With regard to the procedure for medium-sized enterprises, invitations have already been sent to absolutely all companies that have successfully passed the assessment and the business is currently expected to present its reports and sign its contracts. Under this procedure, 1,703 project proposals will be financed with a grant of BGN 233.6 million.

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev pointed out that all measures are financed from the state budget, European funds or the SURE instrument.

"Whatever measures to support both businesses and employment have been implemented, none of us claims that any measure can replace the actual business. These are measures that aim to retain workers and enterprises, not to compensate for normal trade," said Donchev.

The Deputy Prime Minister also refuted the speculations regarding the government's priorities.

"Everything is our priority. Every company is our priority and every employee.. And if restrictions are imposed somewhere, it is not because we have a condescending attitude towards any sector. This is only the case when there is conflict with healthcare and it poses risks for health and life, "Donchev added.