8 new cases of Covid-19 have been registered in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours. A total of 1,725 PCR tests were conducted over the period. Three people diagnosed with Covid-19 infection were admitted to hospital in the past 24 hours. The total number of Bulgarians infected with the novel coronavirus has reached 2,485. 51 patients recovered from the virus in the past 24 hours bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,015 (41% of all people who have tested positive for Covid-19). A ninety-one-year old man and a woman of the same age from a care home in Lom died with Covid-19 in the past 24 hours.

The citizens of Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy, Greece and Spain suffered the biggest financial losses amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The nationals of Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland and Austria suffered the least amount of damages, a survey of the European Parliament shows. 58% of the respondents said they experienced financial difficulties during the pandemic. 30% of the EU citizens complain of loss of income, 23% complain of becoming unemployed and 14% said they were unable to cover loans and pay rents. 9% of the respondents said they could not buy food. Six out of ten respondents say the EU members showed enough solidarity during the pandemic. Italians, Spaniards and Greeks are most dissatisfied with the role of the EU during the crisis, followed by the citizens of Austria and Bulgaria.

Bulgaria should ask the European Union for permission to extend the 60/40 wage support scheme until the end of the year, businesses and TUs say. The measure should extend its scope and include agriculture as well. The authorities should offer a 80/20 support scheme to transport and tourism. Thus, the state will pay 80% of the salaries and the social security contributions of the employees. Those who have been made redundant during the crisis should receive food vouchers. Mothers and employees with small children should receive an extra 20 days paid annual leave, Bulgarian businesses and TUs propose.

“Three hotels in Sunny Beach have already opened doors and are welcoming tourists,” said the resort’s director Zlatko Dimitrov. If the situation continues to improve, then most hotels are expected to open by 19 June. The first tourists were also welcomed in the resort of Albena. The safety measures there start at the barrier where all cars are disinfected. Meals will be provided in a different way this season. There will be no self-service at buffet tables, holidaymakers will have to put in their orders. “50% of the advanced bookings in Albena have been cancelled but things are starting to move now,” said deputy-director Hristo Penev for the BNR. 

Mass testing to show the level of immunity to Covid-19 is to be launched in the region of Burgas. The mass screening will take place in the regional centre and municipalities around Burgas Bay and the Southern portion of the Black Sea coast. This was announced by the mayor of Burgas Dimitar Nikolov after a meeting with chief medical inspector Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev. The screening will be carried out in the first half of June so that, at the beginning of the summer season, Burgas will have sample results that would enable the city to promote the region as a safe place to visit and spend a holiday. 

“Spring and autumn is the busiest time for tourist guides but there are no groups right now. We look forward to the beginning of July and August in hope,” Nikolay Mindov, chairman of the Association of Tour Guides in Bulgaria said for the BNR. “People are very much afraid to travel. At this stage there is no telling whether tourism can take off and when. There are more than 1,400 tour guides in this country according to the tourist register. 80% of them work with incoming tourists and only a small number – with Bulgarians in Bulgaria,” Mindov added. 

A UNICEF survey shows there is a change in the way children view the Covid-19 situation. At the beginning of the crisis and the state of emergency there was a positive attitude because of the closer and prolonged contact between parents and children. Afterwards, the physical fusion of space in the home without going out was too much for them, explains Vesela Banova, psychologist and psychotherapist. “The situation was hardest for the parents of children with special educational needs,” Vesela Banova said for the BNR. 

The first drive-in cinema is opening in Sofia tonight in the conditions of pandemic. The start will be given with the Bulgarian movie “Reunion” directed by Niki Iliev. Before the start, viewers will be able to enjoy the first drive-in concert in the capital city. The organization during the event will be in compliance with the anti-epidemic measures. It is the ambition of the organizers for the drive-in to continue to function over the next 3 months with the idea of becoming permanent. 

Edited by Gergana Mancheva  + Radio Bulgaria’s “News” team