Prime Minister orders urgent measures against spread of Covid-19

„The healthcare system is overloaded, while the current liberal anti-epidemic measures in Bulgaria are not observed. Some people do not wear masks and do not keep physical distance", Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said at a meeting with Bulgaria’s Minister of Health and the National Operational Headquarters. Boyko Borissov ordered the health authorities to take the necessary urgent measures aimed to contain the spread of coronavirus infection. I am aware that many people will be annoyed by the measures, but I was never guided in my decisions by whether everybody would like us or not", Prime Minister Borissov said.

National 10-day lockdown starts in Bulgaria on Monday

On Monday, March 22 , a national lockdown is to be imposed because of the alarming rate at which the coronavirus infection is spreading and the pressure on the healthcare system. All pupils and university students will switch to remote learning. Kindergartens will also close, no extracurricular activity will be allowed. Visiting restaurants and entertainment establishments will be banned, including casinos and gambling halls. Shopping malls and shopping facilities covering an area of over 300 sq. m. selling non-food items will also close. However, banks, pharmacies, optic shops, offices of telecommunication operators in large shopping premises will remain open. Gyms will not function. Holding cultural events will be prohibited in theaters, concert halls, galleries and cinemas. More from the briefing can be found HERE.

Bulgaria is third in the world in Covid-19 mortality growth rate intensity

Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, Head of the National Operational Headquarters said there was a “steep rise in the mortality curve.” During the past week alone the number of Covid-19 deaths has gone up by 46% compared to the previous week, whereas the number of new infections has gone up by 40%. These figures place Bulgaria in 3rd position in the world in mortality growth rate intensity, and 7th in daily increase in coronavirus cases. Within the European Union Bulgaria is 9th in coronavirus incidence and 4th in number of coronavirus deaths. The biggest number of coronavirus patients are currently in Burgas, Pleven, Sofia, Vratsa and Kyustendil, where every 600 per 100,000 people are in contact with the infection. In the capital alone, the number of hospitalized people has increased by 35% and more than 2,100 beds have been taken this morning, Mayor Yordanka Fandakova said. It is a worrying fact that more and more children and young people are becoming infected and are suffering from the disease.

Highest number of hospitalizations since start of pandemic

The number of new Covid-19 infections registered in Bulgaria over the past 24 hours reached 4,201 or 23.8% of the 17,652 tests, Single Coronavirus Information Portal data show. The highest number of new infections was once again in Sofia - 1,097, followed by the regions of Varna - 305 and Burgas – 291. The number of hospitalized coronavirus patients reached 7,804, which is 204 people more than the previous day – a record high since the start of the pandemic. 609 are being treated in intensive care wards. The number of recoveries in the past 24 hours have reached 7,804 and 136 people died. The number of active cases is 49,597. A total of 4,708 people were vaccinated in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of vaccinations to 350,702. The number of people who received their second dose of vaccine reached 63,752.

Bulgaria adopts measures to help people affected by the new lockdown

The state will pay the employees 75% of their insurable earnings during the new lockdown. People on unpaid leave will retain their social security rights, Bulgaria’s Minister of Labor and Social Policy Denitsa Sacheva said. The 60/40 and 80/20 wage support schemes used by employers during partial lockdowns continue, BGNES reported. The program "Parents in Employment" also continues. People can visit the offices of the National Employment Agency and take advantage of it. The program allows parents to hire babysitters. They will receive one minimum monthly salary, including the social security contributions, Minister Sacheva said.

Bulgaria’s Chief State Health Inspector: Election process is not at risk

The election process is not at risk, if all anti-epidemic measures are observed, Bulgaria’s Chief State Health Inspector Dr. Angel Kunchev said at a briefing. More than 24,000 members of election commissions have been vaccinated against Covid-19. Vaccination of members of election commissions will continue until the elections. Even a single dose of the Covid-19 vaccine is protective, Angel Kunchev said. According to him, hundreds of disposable protective suits and 14,000 liters of disinfectants have been provided for the members of the mobile polling stations.

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Compiled by: Diana Tsankova

English: Radio Bulgaria English Service