Health Minister issued 3 Orders in relation to the extension of Covid-19 epidemic emergency situation

On August 31, Bulgaria’s Minister of Health issued three orders in connection with a decision of the Council of Ministers to extend the epidemic emergency situation until the end of September. The main changes in the texts are as follows:

The requirement for negative PCR test and quarantine for arrivals from Turkey, Serbia and Belarus are lifted

Persons arriving in Bulgaria from Turkey, Serbia and Belarus are admitted to the territory of the country without the need to present a document showing a negative result of a polymerase chain reaction test for the detection of COVID-19. The director of the respective regional health inspectorate shall revoke by order the issued prescriptions for quarantine of persons who arrived in Bulgaria from Turkey, Serbia and Belarus in the period from 20.08.2020 to 31.08.2020.

In-person classes in the system of preschool and school education are resumed. The educational process is organized and conducted in accordance with the Guidelines prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Health for the operation of the system of preschool and school education in the school year 2020-2021 in the conditions of COVID-19.

Attendance in higher education institutions is carried out according to the requirements of the respective higher education institution and in compliance with the general anti-epidemic measures introduced in the country. If possible, the learning process is conducted remotely in an electronic environment through the use of information and communication technologies.

Language and educational centres, as well as entertainment centres organized by legal entities and individuals, provide their services in an electronic environment, and if impossible - by providing a physical distance between persons of 1.5 metres and in compliance with the anti-epidemic measures.

With regard to visits to medical institutions - as of tomorrow, September 1, they are allowed only for relatives of patients in terminal stage.

With the same order in the specialized institutions for provision of social services and for social services of residential type for children and adults, visitors are allowed at the discretion of the director or as exeptions.

Workers are recommended to continue to work remotely.

The work process of the collective management bodies and the employees should be carried out, if possible, in a remote form (work from home/ remote work) or on re-scheduled work patterns or work in shifts. This is stated in an order issued today by the Minister of Health.

According to the order, employers may apply other preventive measures and methods of work, depending on the specifics of the respective work activity. The aim is to provide a better level of protection for workers, incl. and limiting non-essential contacts in the workplace.