site.btaBulgaria Extends COVID-19 Epidemic Emergency until July 31

July 6 (BTA) - The COVID-19 epidemic emergency, in effect until July 15, will be extended until July 31, 2020, Bulgarian Health Minister Kiril Ananiev told a news briefing here on Monday. The decision was made at a meeting with Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, members of the National Coronavirus Task Force, Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov and Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev.

Ananiev specified that the extension is intended to provide him with conditions to contain the infection depending on how the situation evolves. "We also decided to tighten the enforcement of the epidemic-control measures and will recommend to the regional task forces to exercise stricter control and, if necessary, to introduce new measures in their respective regions," Ananiev pointed out. "We will recommend minimizing events with massive attendance," he added.

Mask wearing will be detailed in an order that will be issued shortly, said the Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev. Another order will list the countries whose nationals can enter Bulgaria and those who will be required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival.

A Bulgarian team is close to discovering a medicine against COVID-19, Bulgarian Drug Agency Executive Director Bogdan Kirilov told the news briefing. In May, the Bulgarian team began clinical trials of the product on 30 patients at nine hospitals. Initial results are expected by the end of July, Kirilov said. RI/LG

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