site.btaCOVID-19 Restrictions to Remain until December 21, Decision on Easing Restrictions Afterwards Yet to Be Made

ESD 16:41:31 12-12-2020
PP1639ES.106
106 COVID-19 - MEASURES - TASK FORCE

COVID-19 Restrictions to
Remain until December 21,
Decision on Easing Restrictions Afterwards Yet to Be Made


Sofia, December 12 (BTA) - The existing anti-epidemic measures will remain in place until December 21 and the decision on what the measures will be after that is yet to be made. This transpired at a working meeting on Saturday convened by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov with members of the government, the national coronavirus task force, the vaccination task force and Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova, the government information service said.

"The measures are having an effect and we'll implement then for another week. We have made a commitment for December 21 and we should honour it," said Prime Minister Borissov. The Prime Minister was categorical that after that deadline it is vital to maintain a balance and people should continue to be sensible and responsible in order to prevent more pressure on hospitals and waste the effect of the three-week restrictions as concern for health should be foremost. "We have always been honest with people and that's why we are monitoring and assessing the situation daily. We should go together through this crisis," said Borissov.

The Prime Minister asked for a detailed report on the situation by Thursday based on which a decision will be taken about the measures after December 21 so that the public is informed early on.

Borissov recalled that currently Bulgaria is implementing some of the most relaxed measures and people are able to move freely.

Health Minister Kostadin Angelov said that at this stage the coronavirus task force does nor recommend easing of the effective measures and that he would re-assess the data by Thursday.

He said that the restrictions have helped COVID-19 infections to plateau. However, over a 14-day period Bulgaria still places 14th with infection rates having dropped below 600 per 100,000 population. More patients are being discharged and the number of patients in intensive care remains steady.

Coronavirus task force chief Ventsislav Moutafchiiski confirmed that trends are still unstable and that at the same time there is no clear timeframe for when the situation will be under control globally.

Education Minister Krassimir Valchev quoted the findings of a survey according to which learning motivation drops sharply after two weeks of online learning. The lack of direct interaction with teachers affects children negatively, socialization and movement are restricted and psychological tension appears. The Minister noted that there is no compensatory alternative for pre-school education. "The younger the children, the greater the deficiencies," said Valchev.

Labour Minister Denitsa Sacheva and Economy Minister Luchezar Borissov reported on support paid to individuals and businesses to counter the effects of the coroanavirus crisis. LN/PP