site.bta10-Day Quarantine for Arrivals from UK to Stay until January 31, 2021, Government Decides

December 21 (BTA) - At a working meeting called by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Bulgaria's Cabinet decided to keep the 10-day quarantine for arrivals from the UK in Bulgaria until January 31, 2021, the Government Information Service said on Monday. "There is readiness to permit a resumption of flights from Britain after the EU and Bulgarian health experts report solutions for the Union's coping with the new SARS-CoV-19 strain after Monday's integrated political crisis response (IPCR) meeting," the press release says.

On Sunday evening, Health Minister Kostadin Angelov banned the entry into Bulgaria through all border crossings of persons departing from the UK and travelling by air, sea, rail and road, effective from 00:00 hrs on December 21, 2020 until January 31, 2021. The ban does not apply to Bulgarian nationals and permanent, continuous or long-term residents in Bulgaria and their family members. Also on Sunday, the Government decided to suspend flights between the UK and Bulgaria for the same period.

Deputy Prime Ministers Ekaterina Zaharieva and Krassimir Karakachanov, Transport Minister Rossen Zhelyazkov, Health Minister Kostadin Angelov and Interior Minister Hristo Terziiski also attended the Sunday meeting. They discussed all measures that Bulgaria is taking in respect of the new coronavirus variant identified in Britain.

The PM ordered the making of appropriate arrangements in all sectors, considering the difficulties that restrictions prompted by the new strain present. Borissov argued that adequate and timely action is needed to respond to the expected truck congestion at the border checkpoints. He assigned Terziiski to address the issue.

Zaharieva reported that her Ministry is in constant touch with the Bulgarian Embassy in London and is ready to assist the Bulgarians in the UK who approach the mission.

Zhelyazkov said that the period of the suspension of flights between Bulgaria and Britain may be reconsidered at the right time. He explained that the ban applies to air passengers arriving from the UK into Bulgaria and not to those departing from Bulgarian airports for Britain. "Cargo flights, humanitarian flights and medical flights are not restricted," the Transport Minister said. Green lane rules apply to the land borders.

Borissov ordered the ministers of health and foreign affairs to organize the supply of vaccines for the citizens of Albania, North Macedonia and the rest of the Western Balkans and Eastern Neighbourhood countries after the Bulgarian citizens' needs are satisfied. RI/LG

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