site.btaPM Borissov: "We Won't Hesitate to Reimpose Stricter Measures"

March 9 (BTA) - The number of new COVID-19 cases in Bulgaria continues to increase, while the UK variant of the virus is infecting younger people, which is why additional measures will be introduced if needed, it transpired from a working meeting here on Tuesday of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov with Health Minister Kostadin Angelov and members of the national coronavirus task force. Minister Kostadin Angelov has cut short his leave [due to him taking part in the election campaign] on Prime Minister Borissov's orders and is fully dedicating himself to containing the spread of the virus in Bulgaria, the Government's information service reported.

"Elections come and go, but [protecting people's] lives and health is currently the most pressing task. That is why we will not hesitate to once again impose stricter measures, no matter how much the economy and finances suffer," the Prime Minister said during the meeting.

"I see that Bulgarians are tired of the measures, they want their social contacts, but you have elected me because I can take responsibility for my decisions. I am opposed to measures issued by orders, but if the hospitals cannot take it anymore, we will impose restrictions," Borissov said.

The Health Minister has reported during the working meeting that the number of new cases, deaths and hospitalizations are increasing. It was also reported during a meeting Angelov had with the chiefs of the regional health inspectorates late on Monday that the situation is grave in nine regions, where morbidity is high and a high percentage of the positive COVID-19 samples were found to be of the UK variant.

The head of the national coronavirus task force, Ventsislav Moutafchiiski said that the growing number of cases can be contained only in the old-fashioned ways, which have proven to be effective throughout the years. "We cannot count on the pandemic extinguishing itself. There must be measures," he said.

Director of the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases and member of the national coronavirus task force, Prof. Todor Kantardjiev, said that the sharp increase of new cases in some regions is due to the UK variant, which has been shown to infect younger people now.

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Earlier on Tuesday, restaurant and club owners associations described any tightening of measures concerning entertainment establishments as completely unacceptable. The two business associations are against any ideas whatsoever about new closures, postponing the opening of night clubs [scheduled for April 1], introducing restrictions locally, reducing business hours, or "any other crazy ideas and restrictions".

"Let it be clear - we only want to work! We are ready to become more direct when standing up for our rights," the two associations said.

RY/MY

/МТ/