Hours after Minister of Economy Lachezar Borisov announced the activities of big non-food stores would be reorganized so they can reopen, it was announced that there would be no easing of restrictions after all.

At this morning’s weekly briefing by the medical authorities Minister Borisov announced that non-food stores would be able to reopen if they restrict their customer area to 300 square meters. There followed an angry reaction by restaurateurs who demanded that their eating establishments reopen under the same conditions.

Late this afternoon the Ministry of Economy press service announced that by order of PM Boyko Borissov and with a view to ensuring equal treatment of the different branches, as well as because there are just 6 days to go until the end of the 10-day period of tighter restrictions put in place in the country, the minister of economy retracted the instructions issued earlier in the day.