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Covid-19 in Bulgaria: Day 103

Photo: EPA/BGNES

Front-line medical professionals will receive the promised additional remuneration

With an editorial amendment by GERB, the Bulgarian parliament unanimously obliged the Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev to prepare and submit to the parliamentary health committee within 3 months a plan for organization of the work and financing of the medical establishments in case of a declared emergency epidemic situation. Ananiev assured the MPs that all health workers in the front line of fighting Covid-19 will receive the promised additional remuneration, and the hospitals will not have to return to the Health Insurance Fund funds allocated to them in the conditions of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bulgaria receives face masks and protective clothing from EU

Bulgaria has received over 7 tons of protective clothing under the upgraded European Mechanism for Civil Protection-rescEU, the Spokesperson of the Commission Balazs Ujvari announced. The shipment includes over 500,000 face masks. They are purchased by the Bulgarian authorities, but the transport costs are paid by the EU. After the successful delivery to Bulgaria, other operations will be undertaken in the coming weeks, Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said. The EU member states can also apply for additional funding via the Emergency Support Instrument to transport essential goods, medical teams and patients affected by the coronavirus, Commissioner Lenarčič said further.

Bulgarians trust in EU amidst Covid-19 crisis: survey

Trust in the European Union among Bulgarians remains stable, a sociological survey of Gallup commissioned by Konrad-Adenauer Foundation shows. The image of the EU did not suffer from the Covid-19 crisis. Awareness of the Recovery Plan for Europe is low, which is detrimental to confidence in Brussels. Nearly two-thirds of all Bulgarians think that the EU is needed, especially in this crisis. The majority of the respondents are firm supporters of democracy, but two-fifths of the surveyed nationals do not consider democracy appropriate in crisis management like the current one. 51% of the respondents want the EU to undertake common actions to exit the crisis. 46% think that a nation state should be at the forefront. 81% of the respondents say that limiting the spread of the epidemic is everyone’s responsibility.

Economic crisis expected to be most severe in autumn

Analyzes show that autumn will be a hard period as in many places real unemployment will be felt then, President Rumen Radev said. The Covid-19 crisis has proved once again how necessary financial decentralization of municipalities in Bulgaria is, President Radev said during his visit to Kresna. The crisis has also shown the big problem - there are billions set aside, but no administrative capacity in order for the funds to reach those in need, the head of state added. President Radev pointed out that it was not too late to overcome the crisis, but the capacity of the state must be used and all of the most affected people must be reached, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises.

89 new cases of Covid-19

Out of the 2054 samples tested in the past 24 hours, 89 gave a positive result. Most cases were found in Sofia city - 24, followed by Plovdiv - 12, Sofia region, Pleven and Smolyan - 7 each, Kyustendil - 5, Pazardzhik, Lovech and Sliven - 4 each, Blagoevgrad and Stara Zagora - 3 each, Kardzhali, Pernik and Razgrad - 2 each, Varna, Shumen and Yambol - 1 each. The total number of infected so far is 3542 and 1478 are still active. A total of 184 people have passed away - three of them in the past 24 hours. The newly recovered are 63 out of a total of 1880.

Traffic at Kulata-Promahon border crossing returns to normal

Car traffic at Kulata-Promahon border crossing has returned to normal after the Greek authorities eased the regime for citizens of EU. The EU nationals are not subject anymore to full control and the Bulgarian nationals can now cross the checkpoints with their ID card only. The long line of vehicles disappeared two hours after border control was alleviated. It takes more time for third-country nationals to cross the border checkpoints, because they need to certify where they will stay. They are also subject to coronavirus tests. Cargo vehicles have formed six-kilometer line at the border checkpoint.

Quarantine lifted for citizens of 8 more countries

As of June 18, the 14-day quarantine for those arriving in Bulgaria from Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Andorra, Monaco and the Vatican is lifted. This is stated in an order of Bulgaria's Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev. The directors of the regional health inspectorates have been ordered to revoke the issued prescriptions for quarantine of persons who arrived in Bulgaria from Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Andorra, Monaco and the Vatican in the period from June 5 to June 17, 2020.

Rose growers to receive aid

Rose growers are among the first farmers to receive financial support because of the coronavirus crisis, Agriculture Minister Desislava Taneva said. They are expected to be compensated with up to BGN 90 per decare. However, only registered producers will be entitled to the aid. The Minister also said that the official approval of the Bulgarian initiative for the compensatory measure Covid-19 is expected from Brussels tomorrow.


You can find all stories and important publications related to COVID-19 in Bulgaria at our special coverage section in English.

You can also follow all latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak and all measures in Bulgaria in 9 more languages at Radio Bulgaria.

Compiled by Diana Tsankova




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