site.btaNon-EU Citizens Banned from Entering Bulgaria

Sofia, March 19 (BTA) - Health Minister Kiril Ananiev imposed a
ban on citizens of non-EU countries entering Bulgaria, the
Health Ministry reported on Thursday. The ban will be effective
from zero hours on March 20 until April 17. It applies to all
non-EU citizens headed for any border checkpoint on any mode of
transport: air, sea, rail, or road.

An earlier Bulgaria entry ban on persons arriving from some EU
member states and Schengen countries remains effective. These
countries are: Italy, Spain, France, Britain, Germany, the
Netherlands and Switzerland. The ban does not apply to Bulgarian
 citizens and members of their families and persons who reside
in Bulgaria on a long-term or permanent basis. Citizens of these
 EU and Schengen countries and members of their families are
allowed to transit Bulgaria on their way to their country of
residence.

The restrictions do not apply to: healthcare specialists, health
 researchers and specialists in elderly care; transport workers
engaged in the carriage of goods, aircraft crews performing
commercial flights and other transport personnel if necessary;
diplomats, employees of international organizations,
servicepersons and humanitarian workers while doing their job;
persons travelling for humanitarian reasons; and citizens of
non-EU countries who are permitted to stay in an EU member state
 longterm and are transiting Bulgaria to return to their country
 of residence.

The full text of the order has been posted on the Health
Ministry website. RY/VE