661 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria, death toll rises to 28

661 are all confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Bulgaria according to data from the National Crisis Staff. On April 11, 13 new cases have been confirmed - 10 in Sofia and 3 in Kyustendil. 230 persons with confirmed Covid-19 infection are hospitalized, 35 of them are now in intensive care. There are two new deaths today - one in Sofia and one in Plovdiv, making the total death toll in Bulgaria rise to 28. 62 patients have recovered so far.

The Bulgarian Medical Union calls on all citizens who have the opportunity to stay home next week. Doctors say that, almost a month after the state of emergency, the results of the fight against the coronavirus in Bulgaria are visible and the efforts made must be continued.

In order to prevent the spread of the contagion, checks are conducted on open-air markets throughout the country. Sofia's largest open marketplace, the so-called Zhenski pazar (women's market), has been closed today over failure to comply with the anti-epidemic measures.

Bulgaria introduces mandatory wearing of masks in public from April 12 until April 26 inclusive

As of April 12, all citizens in Bulgaria are obliged to wear a disposable or reusable face mask or another option covering the nose and mouth (including cloth, scarf, etc.) when they are in indoor or outdoor public places (including public transport, shops, parks, churches, monasteries, temples, halls, streets, bus stops, etc.). Public places are also considered to be all places which are freely accessible and/or intended for public use. This also applies to places where public services are provided. This is what an order of Bulgaria's Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev reads, which will be in force until April 26, inclusive. Violators will be penalized.

Several Sofia neighbourhoods blocked by police over coronavirus outbreak

Several neighborhoods of Bulgaria's capital city Sofia have been blocked by police since Friday evening due to measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. These are "Hristo Botev", "Fakulteta", "Filipovtsi" and part of "Orlandovtsi" residential neighbourhoods. A total of 63 entry and exit crossing points have been set up in them. Police officers allow the passage of people who go or return from work or have a valid reason for passing. The purpose of the operation is to halt the indiscriminate movement of people in these neighborhoods.

Police officers monitor observance of physical distancing in Sofia

Enhanced checks on compliance with the physical distancing measures are under way in Sofia. All resources of the Sofia police will control the observance of the bans on the gathering of people in one place and walks in parks and urban gardens. The measures are implemented jointly between Sofia Municipality and the Sofia Police Directorate. "The spring and sunny weather create the misleading sensation that everything is over. Experts' predictions show that the next days are extremely risky," Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova said.

All sports events, training suspended until May 13

After the extension of the state of emergency in the country until May 13. Bulgaria’s Minister of Sport and Youth Krasen Kralev has extended the ban on holding sports events until the same date.

Parents on unpaid leave to receive one-time financial assistance

Parents in Bulgaria will be able to benefit from a one-time financial support to the tune of BGN 375 (EUR 192). It will be granted when both parents or a single parent take unpaid leave for at least 20 working days due to the inability to work remotely, when they do not receive other social benefits and when they have exhausted the possibility of taking a paid leave. This was announced by Bulgaria's Minister of Labour and Social Policy Denitsa Sacheva. She explained that BGN 20 million (over EUR 10 million) has been earmarked for 55,000 families.

The income criterion is 610 BGN (312 Euro) per month per person in the family, which is the minimum wage in the country. Parents will be able to apply for this assistance as of Tuesday (April 14th) at the latest, the Social Minister announced.

Bulgaria's Social Ministry urges seasonal agricultural workers not to travel abroad

With the European Commission called for the free movement of seasonal workers of major importance for the agriculture sector, many Bulgarians are ready to go to work abroad despite the coronavirus pandemic. They are expected to participate again in the harvesting season in European countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece and Italy.

Responding to a question from the Bulgarian National Radio, Bulgaria's Minister of Labour and Social Policy Denitsa Sacheva warned seasonal workers that they would have to comply with the mandatory quarantine when returning from risky countries. She advised them to refrain from travelling and to think first about their health and that of their families.

Stop Cancer Association launches charity campaign in support of cancer patients in Bulgaria amid Covid-19

A national charity campaign entitled "Let's Help the Most Vulnerable" has been launched by the Stop Cancer Association, which brings together cancer patients in Bulgaria. The aim is to raise funds for the provision of disinfectants, protecting equipment and Covid-19 testing kits for cancer clinics and treatment centres in the country, said the president of the Association Rositsa Kassabova.  The bank account of Stop Cancer Association where donations can be transferred is the following: BG11DEMI92401000169397

11 countries now recognize expired Bulgarian ID documents in light of Covid-19

Eleven countries have so far confirmed that in light of the coronavirus pandemic they will recognize Bulgarian personal documents which have expired between March 13 and October 31, 2020, Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports. These are Austria, the United Kingdom, Greece, Ireland, Qatar, Norway, Slovakia, Turkey, France, Croatia, and the Czech Republic. Another 7 countries currently recognize expired Bulgarian identity documents under special conditions - these are Slovenia, Portugal, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Indonesia and Nigeria.

Bulgarians with expired ID documents who are in a country that does not recognize them can return to Bulgaria with a temporary passport issued by Bulgaria's respective consular service in the country in question.

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova

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