15 new cases of Covid-19, death toll rises to 80

The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Bulgaria has reached 1,704, the National Operational Headquarters reported. On May 5, 15 new cases have been identified - 6 in Pazardzhik district, 4 in Kyustendil district, 4 in Sofia and 1 in Blagoevgrad. 316 patients with Covid-19 are currently in hospitals as 39 are in intensive care units. 182 are the infected medical staff.

The coronavirus death toll in Bulgaria has reached 80 persons. Today, an 80-year-old patient has died in the Veliko Turnovo-based hospital. Another man, aged 61, has died in a hospital in Sevlievo. They both had severe underlying conditions.

Free intercity travel in Bulgaria to be resumed as of May 6

The restrictions imposed on travelling and police checkpoints at entry and exit points of major cities in Bulgaria will be removed as of midnight, a new order issued by Healthcare Minister Kiril Ananiev reads. The strict rules on entering or leaving the Bulgarian capital city Sofia will also be removed as of May 6, Ananiev stipulated.

With the free intercity movement being resumed, citizens will no longer be required to fill in declarations for the reason of travelling, a regulation which was introduced due to the state of emergency in light of Covid-19.

The restrictions on travelling outside major cities in Bulgaria came into effect on March 21 as one of the measures aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19. The stricter rules applying to entering and exiting Sofia were imposed on the eve of the four-day long weekend on the Orthodox Easter.

School year to end without attendance, education minister confirms

The school year will end without attendance – electronically, and students will return for the most important exams - after 7th grade and for the state matriculation exams.

The required social distancing and disinfection will be guaranteed at the exams, said Minister of Education Krasimir Valchev at a briefing. School-goers whose inclusion in distance training has been ineffective will be worked with during the summer in attendance. 

The students graduating secondary schools will have no problem applying for higher educational establishments in the country and abroad, Minister Valchev said.

Gallup International poll: 55% of Bulgarians support measures against Covid-19

The anxiety in Bulgarian society caused by the Covid-19 outbreak continues to decline. Measures against the virus are seen as sufficient, a poll by Gallup International. People continue to be concerned about their incomes. 55% of Bulgarians find the undertaken anti-coronavirus measures sufficient. For 32% of the polled, the measures are too extreme, which is an increase of 15%.

56% of respondent consider the coronavirus infection to be dangerous but ultimately they regard it as a severe form of flu.

Approval for the state authorities remains high. The work of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov is supported by 55% of the people.  46% believe that government measures to help the economy and businesses are insufficient.

Ruling coalition announces post-crisis recovery measures

All rights arising with the state of emergency shall be extended by 2 months after the expiry of the state of emergency on 13 May. Vouchers will be introduced to promote tourism. The vouchers will only be available to people who have paid social security contributions. The amount and period of validity of the vouchers is yet to be specified, said Valeri Simeonov, leader of the National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria after the council of the ruling coalition which took place today.

Beach umbrellas and chairs will be free of charge, Simeonov added. As requested by restaurant keepers, the measures in place for the functioning of the outdoor spaces of food establishments will be eased. The government will press ahead, at accelerated rates, with the construction of infrastructure projects such as Hemus motorway, the tunnel under Shipka and the expressway to Danube Bridge 2. The right to construction work in resorts is being extended until 15 June. In agriculture, investments will be made in vegetable and fruit growing.

The restoration of the football championship in the country will follow the liberalization model in the EU countries.

Parties in governing coalition disagree over VAT in tourist sector

The ruling parties in Bulgaria's government did not reach agreement on reducing VAT in tourism and the restaurant sector.  There is no reason to reduce VAT amidst the current crisis and the state budget cannot afford it, GERB members said. We promised before the elections that we would not change the taxes, Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev said.

The government program does not state that there will also be a coronavirus, the Deputy Prime Minister Krasimir Karakachanov from VMRO party retorted. He added that if the according to experts the measure was not positive, it would not be adopted.

The leftist opposition party BSP also proposed reducing the VAT on foods and medicines from 20 to 9%.

CITUB: Staff cuts in 12 big and medium-sized enterprises

Staff cuts are underway, or are forthcoming in no less than 12 big and medium-sized enterprises from the processing and the light industry, indicate data of the Confederation of Independent TUs in Bulgaria (CITUB).

A total of 96 big and medium-sized enterprises employing a staff of almost 48,000 have been affected negatively by the Covid-19 crisis. Besides tourism, hotel and restaurant keeping, the spheres affected are water supply and sewerage, the timber industry, urban and inter-city transport, the light and the processing industry. The problems are connected with postponed commissions and payments, frozen international markets.

Municipalities seek support over precarious financial situation

The National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria is opening talks, as of today, with leaders of the parties represented in parliament. The Association is seeking support for the municipalities which have found themselves in a severe financial situation due to declining revenues after the introduction of the state of emergency in the country over Covid-19. The municipalities are also demanding changes in the allocation of funding under some EU operational programmes.

“More than 150 municipalities are unable to avail themselves of this funding,” Donka Mihailova, deputy chair of the board of the Association said in an interview for the BNR.

Covid-19 crisis leads to collapse of auto sales

New car sales fell by 73% in April, according to Bulgaria's traffic police. In April, 1,079 new cars were purchased, compared to 4,021 a year earlier. In second-hand cars and light trucks, the decline is 60%. There are 7,750 sale deals in April 2020 compared to 19,250 a year earlier. Sales of new trucks over 12 tonnes have declined by 91% with only 63 deals. The decline in used machinery is 54%.

As of May 1, registered vehicles in Bulgaria are almost 3.8 million, which is an increase of more than 118,000 vehicles compared to a year earlier. Of these, 2.85 million are cars, accounting for an annual increase of 82,366.

Wizz Air to launch flights from Vienna to Burgas in July

As of July, 2020, the low-cost airline Wizz Air will start operation of flights between the Austrian capital and Bulgaria's coastal city of Burgas. Tickets are already on sale. Flights will be operated every Monday and Friday. Departure from Vienna is at 6.15 pm and from Burgas - at 9.45 pm.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, passengers will be required to wear face masks and the cabin crew should wear both masks and gloves throughout the flight. The planes will be disinfected after each flight and full disinfection will be performed every night. Disinfection wipes will be given to each passenger on boarding.

On-board magazines have been removed and passengers are urged to make all purchases through contactless payment. Passengers are also required to follow physical distancing measures.

Hotels offer frontline medics and police fighting coronavirus free holiday

The  “Velingrad and Western Rhodope” Association of Hotel and Restaurant Keepers is offering a 3-day holiday, free of charge, in the resort town of Velingrad, to 3,600 frontline medical workers and police officers fighting against Covid-19.

“We can welcome these heroes free of charge because they deserve to feel our attention and respect, and we are in their debt,” the Association says.

Compiled by Elena Karkalanova and Radio Bulgaria's News Team

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