Total number of Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria rise to 675

6 new cases of Covid-19 were registered in Bulgaria by 5 pm on Sunday, of which 4 cases were registered in Sofia and 2 in Stara Zagora district, the National Crisis Headquarters announced. Thus, the total number of Covid-19 cases in this country rose to 675. A total of 230 people were admitted to hospitals and 36 of them are in intensive care departments. 377 of all Bulgarians diagnosed with coronavirus are men and 298 are women. The Covid-19 deaths reached 29.

Bulgaria’s minister of health closes cooperative and farmer’s markets

By order of Bulgaria’s Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev, all cooperative markets and flower exchanges are closed on April 12 (Palm Sunday). The markets will also close from April 16 until further notice. Between April 13 and 15 traders are allowed to sell their produce under strict observance of the anti-epidemic measures. Minister Ananiev issued this order after the Bulgarian Police closed on Saturday the biggest farmer’s market in Sofia “Women's Market” for non-compliance with the anti-epidemic measures.

Bulgaria’s social services to receive unsold agricultural produce from the state

Many Bulgarian farmers complained that due to the closure of the cooperative and farmer’s markets in this country they will not be able to sell their produce and will have to throw it away. As a result, Bulgaria’s Premier Boyko Borissov has ordered the state to buy the unsold produce and give it to the social services. Bulgaria’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Desislava Taneva was assigned the task to determine how unsold fruits and vegetables will be bought and delivered to the Bulgarian social services.

Bulgaria’s economy is able to withstand the crisis: Economy Minister Karanikolov

The 60/40 scheme developed by the state authorities to support the employment in Bulgaria is correct, but we are yet to see how different sectors of the national economy will be affected by the Covid-19 crisis, this country’s Minister of Economy Emil Karanikolov told the Bulgarian National Radio. Bulgaria’s economy is able to withstand the crisis until the end of June. Minister Karanikolov described Bulgaria’s decision to resume its course towards accelerated accession to the ERM 2 mechanism as an opportunity it should benefit from, because it means higher credit rating and increased investor interest in Bulgaria.

Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria: Cabinet’s economic forecasts are too rosy

The economic forecasts of the Bulgarian government are too rosy, the President of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) Plamen Dimitrov commented in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio. The measures adopted until now in support of the Bulgarian business are good and comprehensive, but we need to provide differentiated assistance to the sectors. One-fifth of the biggest and medium-sized enterprises in Bulgaria are experiencing serious problems. The heavy industry has not been affected by the crisis yet, but along with staff redundancies in the light industry, we have started to witness redundancies in the processing industry as well, Plamen Dimitrov further said. According to CITUB, the current legislative norm for access to unemployment benefits is unfair and must be changed.

Few believers attend Palm Sunday church service, temples remain open for Easter

Few believers attended the morning service in St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral on occasion of Palm Sunday headed by Patriarch Neophyte. People without face-protection masks were not allowed to the temple. Each believer received hand sanitizer at the cathedral’s entrance. All people who attended the liturgy inside the cathedral received communion from a common silver spoon, although they wore face masks. Police tape did not allow the laity to enter the ancient church St. Nikolay Mirlikiiski downtown Sofia. The churches will be open for Easter as well.

Covid-19 immunity testing of Bansko residents begins

The Covid-19 immunity testing of the residents of Bansko, which was the first Bulgarian town placed under a fourteen-day quarantine, has begun. Each test lasts for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, which means that 4 to 5 persons are tested in one hour. The mass testing which started on Palm Sunday may continue for up to one month. The main purpose of the testing is to show how many residents of Bansko resort had produced antibodies.

Increased Police presence in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia

There is increased Police presence in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia on Palm Sunday not only around the Christian temples, but also in areas where big crowds can be formed. Police patrols are checking sports grounds between the blocks of flats in the residential districts. The police officers tell people to go home when they notice crowds. Police control at the crossing points set up in residential neighborhoods with high concentration of Roma people such as Hristo Botev, Fakulteta, Filipovtsi and Orlandovtsi continues. The increased Police presence will continue during the forthcoming Easter holidays as well.

Compiled by Stoimen Pavlov

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