Schools are places with lowest Covid-19 transmission risk: Angel Kunchev

We knew what the situation would be in Bulgaria’s schools after we saw what happened in the nurseries and the kindergartens. These places cannot be “Coronavirus-free islands”, this country’s Chief State Health Inspector Associate Professor Angel Kunchev told BNT. If anti-epidemic measures are fully observed, schools and kindergartens will be among the places with lowest Covid-19 transmission risk, the expert contends. Children from a certain class have almost no contacts with pupils from other classes. According to Angel Kunchev, the schools adopted very good anti-epidemic measures, which correspond to the measures adopted in almost all European countries. Children’s psyche will not be damaged if pupils wear face masks in school corridors for 30 minutes a day, Bulgaria’s Chief State Health Inspector Associate Professor Angel Kunchev further said.

Wearing one and the same mask in school is dangerous: allergologist

Wearing one and the same mask throughout the whole day in school is dangerous, allergologist Dr. Tihomir Mustakov warned. During the 19^th medical forum organized by “Media, Society, Family and Traditions” Foundation, the medic advised children to avoid congestions during breaks and go outside more often. Pupils spend approximately eight hours or sometimes even more at school. Children may get other type of infection if they wear one and the same mask throughout the whole day. Moreover, the mask loses its protective effect if a Covid-19 virus sticks on its surface. The use of face masks must be strictly regulated- pupils should know when they should take their masks off and where to keep them if they want to use them again, because masks may have adverse effect if put on the desk, fall on the floor, or used by another child, Dr. Tihomir Mustakov said further.

CPC publishes advices related to face covering requirements

Bulgaria’s Commission for Consumer Protection published on its website advices related to face masks requirements. They are based on norms of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). According to the standards, the handmade face masks should be made of dense fabric which, however, allows people to breathe normally. Extreme solutions such as vacuum-cleaner paper bags, building isolation materials or nappies are not allowed at all. Multi-use face masks must be washed at a temperature of at least 60C. People are not advised to dry them in a microwave oven or with hair dryers. 

Bulgaria Air allows clients to change plane tickets free-of-charge

In order to meet the needs of its clients and address the dynamic situation amid the coronavirus pandemic, Bulgaria’s national carrier Bulgaria Air has extended the time period for free-of-charge rebooking of plane tickets. Passengers who booked a ticket to fly with Bulgaria Air until September 30 can take advantage of one free change of date of ticket, destination or name of passenger. Passengers must inform the carrier about their decision at least 24 hours prior to departure, in order to be able to take advantage of this option. Thus, despite the constantly changing situation, passengers of Bulgaria Air are not threatened by restrictions and rebooking fees.

Bulgaria reports 189 new cases of Covid-19 out of 6,041 PCR tests performed

189 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Bulgaria in the past 24 hours out of 6,042 PCR tests performed, data of the Single Coronavirus Information Portal show. 3.13% of all PCR tests have returned positive. 119 patients have recovered in the past 24 hours, thus bringing the total number of Covid-19 recoveries to 13,510. 4 people died of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. The total Covid-19 death toll since the beginning of the pandemic stands at 753 people. There are 4,470 active cases of coronavirus infection. 728 patients are receiving treatments in hospitals, 34 of whom in intensive care units.

Compiled by Ivo Ivanov

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