As of today (December 1), two orders of the Minister of Health Dr. Stoycho Katsarov enter into force. They are published on the website of the Ministry of Health.
The first order is extending the anti-epidemic measures from 1.12.2021 to 31.03.2022, the period in which the emergency epidemic situation was extended.
For the most part, the measures are the same as those currently in force. Teambuildings, visits to children’s centers, clubs and others, as well as holding congress-conference events, seminars, symposia, trainings, competitions, exams and other group events are prohibited. There are no mass events, such as music and other festivals, fairs, folklore initiatives and etc. Group visits to centers, schools and other sites for dance and music art have been suspended. Visits to libraries, museums, galleries, cinemas, theaters, circus performances, concerts and other indoor performances are prohibited. The ban also applies to the conduct of collective sports indoors, as well as visits to fitness centers, gyms and clubs, swimming pools and complexes, spa (medical SPA) centers, wellness centers and thalassotherapy centers. Visits to gambling halls, casinos and catering and entertainment establishments, as well as visits to shopping malls and shops with a net retail area of over 300 sqm, bazaars and indoor exhibitions have been suspended.
However, many of the bans do not apply to people with a green certificate – who have been ill or vaccinated against COVID-19, have a negative antigen test or a test certifying a certain amount of antibodies to the coronavirus.
The same order regulates the transition to online studying in municipalities with a 14-day morbidity of over 500 per 100 thousand. An exception is allowed in schools where COVID tests are performed regularly.
Private gatherings (baptisms, weddings, etc.) are allowed with the participation of no more than 15 people indoors and 30 outdoors.
At all markets, bazaars and outdoor exhibitions, an organization is created for one-way traffic, control of entrants and admission of no more than 1 person per 8 sqm and providing a physical distance of at least 1.5 m between visitors. Workers and visitors are required to wear a face mask. Christmas and New Year’s open-air bazaars are organized and held in coordination with the relevant regional health inspectorate, which also prescribes specific anti-epidemic measures.
Employers must organize the workers’ work process remotely (teleworking / homework) where possible, allowing a maximum of 50% of staff to attend. And those working in hospital care facilities, complex oncology centers, dialysis centers, hospices and nursing homes must have valid documents for vaccination, illness or testing for COVID-19.
The second order introduces temporary anti-epidemic measures regarding the entry into Bulgaria from other countries.
This order is also in force from 1.12.2021 to 31.03.2022. It stipulates that the entry into our country is in accordance with the assessment of the spread of COVID-19 in the country by criteria and placement of countries in color zones and the color zones are regulated.
The PCR test for tourists who come from the “red zone” but have a green certificate is canceled. This includes citizens of countries with a 14-day incidence of more than 500 per 100,000.
If those entering our country from countries in the “red zone” do not present a valid digital COVID certificate for vaccination, disease or testing, they are subject to a 10-day quarantine. There is no way to get rid of it, unlike tourists arriving from the green or orange zone. The rule applies to them that if within 72 hours of their arrival they are tested by PCR or antigen test and their result is negative, their quarantine is canceled.
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