PM:The only easing of anti-epidemic measures would be allowing students to return to in-person classes

The only compromise about the easing of the anti-epidemic measures would be to allow school students of 5th to 12th grade to return to in-person classes, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borisssov told the regular weekly briefing of the health authorities on the spread of Covid-19, on January 21.

As for the opening of the restaurants, the situation will be monitored until January 31 and then decisions will be made. The easing of measures could lead to a new crisis due to the new variant from Britain.

"The optimism that we have in our country based on the indicators about the Covid-19 cases is very sharply challenged by doctors. The new variant is transmitted extremely quickly. Therefore, despite the months of lockdown, the number of infected and death rate in European countries continues to rise," said the prime minister.

According to him, students are currently the most important and therefore the possible easing of measures will be only in the field of education.

The spread of the new variant of COVID-19 in Europe is a concern for healthcare experts

For the time being, we are like an oasis in terms of the measures we have. The risk is that if we ease them it can lead to great morbidity and we cannot control them," Borissov said.

"What we agreed with the doctors is that we make a compromise for the students. By January 31, we will monitor the number of new cases and mortality, and restore the capacity of the medical teams. And then we will make a decision. By the 31st, if we go at this pace, the number of deaths and infections will further decrease, "Borissov commented.

Kindergarten children and students in grades 1 to 4 have not increased morbidity, the prime minister added.

As for the opening of restaurants, nightclubs and other businesses, the situation will be observed until January 31 due to the new variant from the UK and its rapid spread in Europe.

There is no decision to open restaurants and bars yet. Of the 30,000 restaurants and nightclubs affected, only 6,300 have applied for aid, Borissov said.

The extension of the measures after January 31 means nearly BGN 100 million additional for non-operating business. That is why the dispute is big, Borissov said, but it should not fall into crisis again.

"The dispute is big, because the extension of the measures after January 31 means nearly BGN 100 million extra, new notifications from Brussels," added Boyko Borissov and specified: "This will save jobs, but there is no increase in GDP. Here the companies are working, this is our great advantage and that is why we have the lowest decline in GDP by 3%, we have the lowest external debt."

He also commented on the intentions for protests by restaurateurs.

"After all, this is their right. I repeat, we do not have a final decision, because we will monitor the situation, if the trend of Covid-19 cases continues to be downwards and we agree with the restaurant industry to work under certain conditions, there will be a conversation of our experts.

"In the morning we had a dialogue in the form of a dispute, I was more optimistic about the situation, but I listened to the warnings of the medical experts," the prime minister said.

"The problem is that at the same time with the loosening of the measures for students, fitness centres, this could lead to a slight increase in the number of cases. Fortunately, Christmas and New Year holidays did not esult in increase of morbidity. Nurseries, kindergartens and students from 1st to 4th grade also did not increase morbidity. This is extremely important, " Borissov said.

Great hopes are placed in the vaccines, the PM said, adding that BGN 10 will be paid per team that administers vaccines.