Health-care and Education sectors are partially recovering

As of January 16, by order of the Minister of Health Kostadin Angelov, some of the imposed anti-epidemic measures in the "Education" sector are changed. The Healthcare sector restores the planned admission and activity in the medical establishments and oncology centers, as well as the holding of first aid courses.

Measures 60/40 and 80/20 have saved over 300,000 jobs in Bulgaria: National Employment Agency

At the end of 2020 unemployment in Bulgaria stood at 6.7%. In December the restrictive measures due to the pandemic were already in place. A number of businesses were again closed but unemployment, compared to November, did not go up, the National Employment Agency has announced. 6.7% is the lowest percentage registered after the state of emergency was lifted on 13 May, 2020. Compared to December 2019, unemployment went up by 0.8%. The number of registered unemployed stood at 220,292, which is an increase by 25,577 year-on-year, the BTA reports. During the May-December period, the anti-crisis measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the pandemic - 60/40 and 80/20 - saved more than 300,000 jobs, the National Employment Agency says.

Draft amendments submitted to parliament enabling persons under quarantine to vote

The ruling GERB party and their partner in the ruling coalition United Patriots submitted to the National Assembly draft amendments to the Act on the Measures and Actions during the State of Emergency enabling people who are under quarantine or are in hospital to cast their votes. Daniela Daritkova, chair of the GERB parliamentary group explained: “We have authorized the Central Election Commission to draft rules by which these persons will be able to vote in accordance with the Election Code regulations enabling persons with disabilities to vote using a mobile ballot box or designated polling stations.“ The draft bill also enables Bulgarians who are abroad and whose identity papers have expired to be able use them for identification on polling day, BNT reports.

Bulgaria reports record number of recoveries

Bulgaria has registered 535 new cases of coronavirus infection for the last 24 hours with 7,439 tests performed. 7.19% of the samples are positive. The highest number of new infections are in Sofia - 132, followed by Burgas - with 43, and Plovdiv - with 40 cases. The total number of medical personnel infected with Covid-19 in Bulgaria is 9,239. The new cases among them are 19. 6,728 persons recovered in the past day and 47 people died with Covid-19. There are currently 3,631 people treated with coronavirus in hospital, with 343 patients in intensive care units. There are currently 52,185 active cases in Bulgaria. 648 people were vaccinated in the past day. Among them are the first 50 persons vaccinated with the Moderna product. The total number of people vaccinated against coronavirus in Bulgaria until now has reached 17,686.

Bulgaria has ordered Covid-19 vaccines for 6 million people

2.3 million people, or 36% of the population of Bulgaria not including children aged below 16, can be vaccinated during the first six months of this year, BGNES reports, quoting the Ministry of Health press service. The ministry participates in applications for all vaccines the European Commission has signed contracts for. The ministry points out that from 5 manufacturers Bulgaria has requested “vaccine amounts for a population of 6 million, assuming all are two-dose vaccines.” All people from high-risk groups, including persons aged over 65 who have stated their wish to be vaccinated, will be covered during the first 6 months of the year and vaccination will be able to startamong the rest of the population, the Ministry of Health says.

Negative Covid-19 test required for arrivals in England and Scotland as of January 18

The requirement for a negative Covid-19 test for all arrivals in England and Scotland, including those from Bulgaria, was postponed and will now come into effect at 4 AM (GMT) on 18 January, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has announced. The test must be performed no more than 72 hours before leaving the country of departure, and the result must be presented in English, French or Spanish. The test must meet performance standards of ≥97% specificity and ≥80% sensitivity. A negative test is required to board any form of transportation. If no test is presented transport companies can deny transportation.

Vaccination certificate will not be mandatory for vacation in Greece

A vaccination certificate will not be required for a vacation in Greece this summer. Before entering the country, tourists will be tested at the border with quick tests, BNR correspondent in Greece Katya Peeva reported. Those wishing to enter the country who have not been vaccinated will be tested at the border with rapid tests. Those who have been vaccinated will enter freely. The government in Athens is funding a 25m-euro tourism advertising campaign in an attempt to attract more tourists.

95% of foreign companies in Bulgaria are ready to expand investments

95% of foreign companies that have already made investments in Bulgaria are ready to expand them, show surveys conducted by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and partner business organizations. This was announced by the President of the Chamber Tsvetan Simeonov during a webinar for business development in Bulgaria at the initiative of the World Trade Centre Leeuwarden in the Netherlands, the employers' organization announced. Simeonov emphasized the positive characteristics of the Bulgarian economic environment and pointed out that intolerance of corruption in the country was growing and criticism from the EU against this shortcoming was decreasing. The Ambassador of the Netherlands in Sofia Bea ten Tusscher told over 50 Dutch companies participating in the event that investments of a number of companies from the Netherlands in Bulgaria were very successful. She paid special attention to agriculture and provided additional information to companies with interests in this field.

Compiled by Yoan Kolev

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