Slowly, but surely, Bulgaria goes back to normal life, after more than 2 months Covid 19 lockdown.
On 26th of May 2020, the Minister of Health in Bulgaria issued an order repealing some of the measures introduced in the country due to COVID-19.
According to the order, as of May 26, cultural and entertainment indoor and outdoor events, such as theater performances, concerts, large stages events, dance classes, creative and musical arts events, as well as any organized events for companies and individuals are allowed, with maximum occupancy of up to 30% of their total indoor capacity, and up to 50% of their total outdoor capacity. The maximum capacity of use of the halls (community centers, children’s complexes, cultural centers, youth centers, school halls, as well as music and theatre halls, private sites, military clubs, etc.) according to the area of the room when the places shall be occupied by no more than 20 people for group activities, and no more than 1 person per 4 sq. m. area.
The order of the Minister of Health also states that from 01.06.2020 visits to indoor areas of restaurants, fast food restaurants, drinking establishments, coffee shops, children’s and sports facilities indoors, entertainment and playrooms are allowed, including those in shopping malls, bars, except for disco clubs, piano bars and night clubs and bars.
Also, as of June 1, all extracurricular activities such as classrooms, clubs, children’s centers and others are allowed.
Order No. RD-01-277 / 26.05.2020 overwhelms Order No. RD-01-272 from 20.05.2020 of the Minister of Health in Bulgaria.
All the above is in addition to the fact, that As of 22nd of May 2020, the ban on the citizens of the EU and Schengen countries (including the Holy Republic of San Marino, the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco and the Vatican City State) to enter the territory of Bulgaria is lifted.
The quarantine for foreign entrees to the country is still in place, but there are exceptions such as members of the families of Bulgarian citizens, as well as the persons who are in actual cohabitation with a Bulgarian citizen, are not subject to 14-day quarantine, when the term of their stay in Bulgaria is up to 7 days.
All others, are subject to 14-day quarantine at home or the accommodation specified by the entrees. However, on 29.05.2020 it was noted by Government that the 14-day quarantine will be revoked as from 1st June 2020 for citizens of Serbia, Republic of North Macedonia, citizens of the EU and Schengen countries (including the Holy Republic of San Marino, the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco and the Vatican City State) but excluding the citizens of the 8 highly affected by Covid 19 countries – UK, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Malta, Portugal, Republic of Ireland .
Hopefully the quarantine restrictions will be also revoked soon, and all foreign guests and tourists who wish to visit the country, will be able to do that soon with no worries about any negative outcome of the Covid 19 crises.
Author: Neli Ivanova – Partner at Ivanova and Partners Law Firm www.psi-law.com