site.btaCabinet Proposes State of Emergency Extension until May 13

April 1 (BTA) - The Council of Ministers has decided to propose to Parliament to extend until May 13 the nationwide state of emergency, declared on March 13, the Government Information Service reported. The draft decision was submitted by the Health Minister at Wednesday's cabinet meeting.

Bulgaria is fighting to the best of its abilities to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease, while the magnitude of the crisis cannot be assessed or predicted yet. Pressure on the healthcare system can be eased only by extending the restrictions and the social isolation measures. This is confirmed by the data and recommendations issued by the national task force.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the EU/EEA and the UK has risen exponentially in the last few days, surpassing infections in China nearly fivefold and those in the US threefold. This makes Europe the worst affected continent by the novel coronavirus. Based on data of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the risk of widespread transmission is moderate for the general population and very high for people aged over 60 and individuals with chronic and pre-existing conditions.

The risk of widespread COVID-19 infections could remain moderate in the coming weeks only if effective epidemic control measures are in place in the EU Member States. The expert conclusion shows that the healthcare systems of the Member States will reach their maximum capacity in the next few weeks, which prompted the Council of Ministers' proposal that Parliament extend the state of emergency in Bulgaria. RI/DD

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