There have been 368 new cases of coronavirus infection in Bulgaria for 24 hours. 2.7% of the 13,165 tests performed were positive, according to data of the Single Coronavirus Information Portal at midnight. 4,073 patients with coronavirus infection are in hospital as 442 are in intensive care wards. 31 patients passed away and 1,774 recovered.

34,227 vaccine doses were administered in the past 24 hours. 479,476 people have already completed the full vaccination cycle.

Health measures are being considered as the goal is not to prevent tourists from coming to the country but to stop a new wave of coronavirus, Minister of Health Stoycho Katsarov said in an interview with bTV. The organization of free testing for those entering the country is being discussed, as well as raising the age of children for whom a PCR test is not required. Only vaccine certificates approved by the European Commission will be considered valid.

The Minister of Health will propose extending the epidemic situation for another two months. He has commissioned a large-scale study to reveal the percentage of the population that had encountered the virus. According to most experts, without mass vaccination a new wave is possible in the autumn, Katsarov added.

We have been working on easing restrictions and rules for entering Bulgaria, which would boost interest in this country as a tourist destination. This is what Minister of Tourism Stella Baltova said in an interview with BNR.

Speaking about the possible easing of the visa regime for Russian tourists, she said that this was a "strategic move" and efforts would be made for it to happen. A digital campaign is also underway to present Bulgaria as a safe destination on several priority markets, including Germany and Russia. Baltova said some hotels plan to cover the PCR tests expenses for their guests upon departure.