Dramatic spike in Covid-19 deaths

The coronavirus fatality rate in Bulgaria has surged by 53% in comparison to the past week, Gen. Ventsislav Mutafchiyski, Head of the National Operational Headquarters reported at a regular briefing on the coronavirus situation. There has been an exponential growth in the number of cases over the past two weeks, and currently 395 out of every 100,000 people have Covid-19, which is a rise of 38%. 
The number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals has increased by 12% in the past seven days and now there are hospitals whose capacity has been exhausted. Ventsislav Mutafchiyski warned that "things are not going in the right direction" and measures have tot be taken because hospitals were running out of beds and many people might be left without treatment. 58% of the beds for patients without complications are currently occupied, as well as 65% of those in intensive care wards.

Health Minister: We are not late with the introduction of stricter restrictions

"When society is ready to believe in the anti-epidemic measures and to observe them, they shall be taken," Minister of Health Prof. Kostadin Angelov said in answer to a question why no stricter actions are being taken at a national level given the rapid rise in the number of infections and deaths. According to the minister, there is no way to apply measures where people do not believe in them. "We are not late with their introduction and if necessary, they will be taken," the minister added, pointing out that our society was not ready for a full lock-down.

More from the regular weekly briefing here

Bulgaria reports 2,774 new Covid-19 cases in past day, or 20% of tests performed

Bulgaria has registered a total of 2,774 new cases of Covid-19 in the past day. Of the 13,691 samples taken, 20.3% returned positive. According to the data of the Single Information Portal, the highest number of new infections is in Sofia - 734, Plovdiv - 223 and Varna - 153. The number of patients in hospitals are 6,395, as 501 patients are in intensive care units.
In the past day, 2,531 patients were discharged and 97 people died. A total of 6,995 people have been inoculated in the last 24 hours. With them, the total number of vaccinated persons has reached 309,145.

School children switch back to distance learning as new wave of coronavirus  advances

As of 12 March school-goers in Sofia and in the regions of Pazardzhik, Kyustendil and Burgas are switching to distance learning. 
The same measure was imposed on 11 March in the regions of Vratsa, Yambol and Blagoevgrad. In-person extracurricular activities in groups are also suspended, as is in-person attendance at foreign language, educational and after-school centres etc., organized by legal entities and natural persons. Minors may visit shopping malls only if they are accompanied by a parent or another adult. 
Group travel with organized transportation, as well as group visits to tourist sites are also suspended. Parties, fairs, festivals, etc., are prohibited.

Government proposes extension of job protection measures

The 60/40 measure aimed at preserving jobs during the pandemic will be extended from April 1 to May 31, according to government plans, BNR's Horizont channel has reported. The proposal will be discussed with businesses and trade unions in the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation on March 15th. The measure "Keep me" for people employed at facilities which have closed and who are on unpaid leave will also be extended until June 30, 2021. 
April 15 is the deadline for employers to submit applications for payment of funding for the period January 1 to March 31. As of mid-February 2021, a total of more than EUR 430 million had been paid under the 60/40 measure for preserving the jobs of more than 265,000 workers.

Bulgaria's tourist sector insists on clarity on future of tourist travel

In early April, tour operators need to know if they will be allowed to organize tourist trips during the Easter holiday. In an interview for the Bulgarian National Television, Prof. Rumen Draganov from the Bulgarian Tourist Union specified that the industry expected by the end of March to have more clarity regarding how tourism would develop in the summer. 
There are many bookings but the condition is that in exceptional circumstances people can cancel the trip immediately, without sanctions, Draganov explained. This must be ensured in the event that political measures are needed to close borders and impose quarantines that impede travel.

80-percent decline of revenues from foreign tourists’ overnight stays in Bulgaria

Revenues from foreign tourists have plunged by 79.4 percent in the beginning of 2021 and the revenues from Bulgarian citizens marked a 28.6-percent decline, the National Statistical Institute has reported. 15.9 per cent of the bed capacity of places of accommodation was occupied in January 2021, which is 14.2% less in comparison to January 2020. Registered overnight stays in January 2021 in all types of accommodation establishments were 463.7 thousand or 56.5% less, compared to the same month of the previous year, as the greatest decline (62.8 per cent) was marked in 4 and 5-star hotels. In January 2021, 76.2% of overnight stays in 4 and 5-star hotels were for foreign citizens and 41.3% for Bulgarian tourists. A drop of 80.8 per cent has been registered among the foreign guests and among the Bulgarians – the decline reached 31.4 per cent, data show.

Switzerland introduces quarantine for arrivals from Bulgaria

On March 22, 2021, Switzerland introduces a mandatory 10-day quarantine for arrivals from Bulgaria. This country has been added to the list of high-risk countries and arrivals to Switzerland are subject to mandatory quarantine, regardless of the vehicle they use. As previously, citizens traveling from Bulgaria must show a negative PCR test upon arrival. The 10-day quarantine can be revoked no earlier than the 7th day, after a second negative test result. The entry regime is the same for the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Compiled by Diana Tsankova

Translated from the Bulgarian by Radio Bulgaria English Service

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