National Crisis Headquarters reluctant to loosen anti-epidemic measures

The head of the National Crisis Headquarters, General Ventsislav Mutafchiyski,has expressed reservations on the ideas for loosening the measures undertaken to contain the spread of the coronavirus infection. We must think about the consequences of such actions, General Mutafchiyski warned.

The arguments of the National Crisis Headquarters against the loosening of the measures are quite objective. In the beginning, there was a plateau of the Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria. Later, in the beginning of April we registered a mini peak, followed by a decline in the number of Covid-19 cases. However, since Palm Sunday we have registered a clear growth of Covid-19 cases. Each loosening will lead to more cases of coronavirus disease, but life cannot stop and the authorities must be able to reintroduce restrictions until a drop in the Covid-19 cases is registered again, General Mutafchiyski commented.

With 15 new cases, confirmed Covid-19 infections in Bulgaria reach 1363

A total of 1363 are all confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Bulgaria so far, the National Operational Headquarters reported. On April 27, 15 new cases have been registered - 3 in Sofia district, 11 in Vidin district and 1 in Yambol district. Patients under hospital treatment now amount to 301 as 39 of them are in intensive care units. 147 of those infected are medics.

Two persons died today in the regional hospital in Vidin - a 77-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man. This has brought the Covid-19 death toll in Bulgaria to 58.

Ban on flights to United Kingdom lifted

Bulgaria's Civil Aviation Administration has lifted the ban on flights to and from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with an order issued by the chief director Stanimir Leshev.

All air carriers holding a valid Community operating license for the transportation of passengers, freight and mail and operating flights to Bulgaria will be notified of the order. Airports throughout the country will also be informed of the decision.

The Bulgarian Embassy in London advises citizens whose flights are forthcoming or have been cancelled to contact the relevant airlines for further information.

Mass testing for Covid-19 to begin in Plovdiv

A research which includes mass testing for Covid-19 will begin by the end of the week in Bulgaria’s second biggest city Plovdiv, the Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev announced. The delivery of ELISA tests has been organized. They are expected to arrive in Bulgaria soon. The research methodology itself is based on the random selection of people for testing, but it will cover all social groups, different age groups and if possible- residential districts with highest and lowest number of people infected with the novel coronavirus, Dr. Kunchev explained.

Bulgaria opens hotline for psychological assistance amidst Covid-19 pandemic

The Military Medical Academy has announced that as of April 28 (Tuesday), specialists from the Psychiatry and Military Psychology department will provide free-of-charge consultations between 09.00 am and 13.30 pm on the following hotline: 02/92 26 190.

The consultations will aim to assist the people to take decisions in the current state of emergency situation with regard to work, family, finance and health. The experts will also provide psychological support for mastering strong emotions such as anxiety, fear, helplessness, depression, anger and other emotions related to the situation of coronavirus pandemic. People will also learn how to overcome symptoms of panic, general anxiety, depression and insomnia.

President Rumen Radev calls for public registry of coronavirus crisis funds

One and a half months after a state of emergency was introduced in the country, the Bulgarian government has not yet offered a clear program for timely, accessible and gratuitous financial assistance, Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev said in a statement.

More and more public funds are being earmarked for overcoming the crisis and a huge loan is to be drawn. We must not forget that these funds will be paid by Bulgarian citizens and businesses, the Bulgarian head of state said in his position.

President Radev has been pushing for transparency by introducing a public registry for reporting coronavirus spending.  Also, following the model of other EU countries, the president calls for not providing assistance to offshore companies.

Bulgarian pensions abroad to be paid without "life declaration"

The National Social Security Institute (NSSI) will pay pensions to Bulgarians abroad who are obliged to submit declarations during the state of emergency. Even if they failed to submit the so-called "life declaration", retirees will receive their money. During the Covid-19 crisis, regulatory deadlines for certification cease to run, the NSSI reported. Once the measures are lifted, the declarations will be submitted within 14 days.

Currently, declarations are accepted without institutional certification. It is enough to fill in the document by hand and sign it, explaining the reason for not being certified.

The completed forms can be sent by mail to noi@nssi.bg.

Ten parks in Sofia reopen for walks

After inspecting the Southern Park opened today for visits by parents with children, pregnant women and individuals practicing sports, Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova called for strict adherence to the anti-epidemic rules set as a condition for opening the ten biggest parks in the capital city.

If visits to the parks proceed according to the order determined by the authorities, allowing visits to the Vitosha Mountain near the capital may be considered, the mayor said and recalled that according to experts there was no reason to loosen the anti-epidemic measures. Municipal police officers are placed at the entrances, exits and key places in the inspected park to ensure compliance with the rules.

Parks in other cities in Bulgaria have also reopened today.

Bulgaria and Albania with lowest coronavirus mortality rates in Europe

Bulgaria and Albania are the two countries with the lowest number of Covid-19 related deaths in Europe. The death toll is 8 and 9, respectively, per 1 million citizens of the population, according to the Albanian Telegraphic Agency. The state media has quoted an interdisciplinary group at the Tirana Academy of Sciences that monitors the development of the pandemic. According to the Academy, the control over the infection in both countries is optimistic.

Data shows that coronavirus mortality rate in Western Europe is several times higher than in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

Procedures for entry of Bulgarian seasonal workers into Germany adopted

The Border Police Directorate announced that the German Ministry of Interior, together with the Federal Police, have established a procedure for entry of Bulgarian seasonal workers into Germany. According to the procedure, seasonal workers can only enter the territory of Germany through the international airports of Hamburg, Berlin - Schönefeld, Leipzig, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt-Hahn, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, Nuremberg. Entry across the sea or land borders to Germany is prohibited.

Worries in Ireland over Bulgarian seasonal workers

News that an Irish company has hired 189 seasonal workers from Bulgaria has sparked speculation about public health at the backdrop of quarantine against the coronavirus. Fruit company Keelings said that Bulgaria had few confirmed cases of infection, making it the country with the lowest number of Covid-19 infected patients in the EU. Before going to work, Bulgarians would go through a two-week quarantine and receive salaries, the company said.

Despite the lack of Irish citizens willing to work as fruit pickers, the country's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan and Minister for Health Simon Harris, expressed doubts about transporting workers from other countries at the backdrop of the pandemic.

Compiled by Elena Karkalanova and Radio Bulgaria's News Team

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