site.btaPresident Radev: Efforts against COVID-19 Produce Results, Bulgaria Has Fairly Low Spread Curve

Sofia, March 18 (BTA) - The efforts against the novel
coronavirus are having an effect and the spread curve in
Bulgaria remains fairly low, at least at this stage, President
Rumen Radev said here Wednesday. He was speaking at a meeting
with government officials held in his office to discuss the
measures this country is taking against COVID-19 Prime Minister
Boyko Borissov and the head of the national coronavirus task
force, Gen. Ventsislav Moutafchiiski, were at the meeting.

Participating in the meeting were also Deputy Prime Minister
Tomislav Donchev and the Ministers of Health, Kiril Ananiev, and
 of the Interior, Mladen Marinov, as well as the director of the
 national fire service, Nikolai Nikolov.

Radev said he feels encouraged and thanked the Bulgarian people
for complying with the recommendations and observing social
distancing.

"All kinds of comments can be heard," he said adding that an
organization has been set in place with the Council of Ministers
 heading the operation to brake the spread of the virus.

Bulgaria, like many other countries, was unprepared for an
emergency of this magnitude, said Radev. He called on all
Bulgarians to show understanding for the efforts of the
competent authorities and urged confidence among the
institutions and in society in general.

"Information is terribly important if we want to avoid panic,"
the President also said. He called on representatives of state
institutions not to cause fear and panic but "show that they are
 disciplined, think twice before they say something and act
within the bounds of their powers". 

"We need to show that by acting together, with joint efforts,
honestly, conscientiously, with discipline and clear information
 for the people, we can overcome this emergency," said the head
of State as he turned to Prime Minister Borissov.

Borissov said that a nation can deal with such a crisis only if
it is united and strong, and stays calm.

Tomislav Donchev said that the top priority are the measures to
protect the health and life of the population. He said that the
government is thinking of a scenario with many more infected
people and then the focus of actions will be the most vulnerable
 group: older people. Options for more rigorous quarantine are
being considered and this calls for broadening considerably the
scope of the in-house social services. This means increasing
several times the people and equipment used in home deliveries
of food, water and medicines for older people, said the Deputy
Prime Minister.

Protective equipment

The President raised the issue of supplies of personal
protective and medical equipment across the country, the
provision of rapid COVID-19 testing kits and clear instructions
for the medical staff. He underscored the problem with the
speculation with the personal protective equipment and
disinfectants, adding that it is immoral to profit out of the
health and tragedy of other people.

Health Minister Kiril Ananiev said that within maximum two weeks
 the country will be supplied with enough protective equipment
to meet the needs of the medical staff. To this end all possible
 sources such as domestic production, and donations from abroad
and from Bulgarian nationals are used.

Prime Minister Borissov said that Bulgaria participates in all
collective orders for protecting gear started by the European
Commission. He also said that there is huge interest in the
Bulgarian industry producing such products because much of the
textile sector, especially fabrics makers, has moved to Turkey,
China and Vietnam.

He also said that Bulgaria has very good distilleries and
several local companies produce 1,000 t of alcohol a month. This
 country also has in its contingency reserve hundreds of tonnes
of alcohol, which has been unblocked. "It is one more way to
make sure domestic demand be met and help the neighbouring
countries as well," said Borissov.

The Health Minister said that in a single day 18,000 leva were
collected in a charity account which will be used to buy medical
 equipment.

The Bulgarian Red Cross has also been collecting protective and
medical equipment. A second larger donation from China is
expected to arrive by the week's end.

Economic measures

Radev recalled that an economic and social crisis is unfolding
together with the health emergency. "If we don't act now, it can
 turn into a humanitarian crisis for thousands of Bulgarians,"
he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev said that the current
operational programmes and financial instruments are being
reconsidered to free up available resources.

It transpired from the Prime Minister's remarks that the
European Commission has given the greenlight for restructuring
of the EU funding.

Donchev recalled that the measures include access to lending,
support for workers and liquid assistance for businesses. The
Deputy Prime Minister said that attention should be paid to the
most vulnerable sectors such as transport and tourism.

Donchev ruled out the nationalization of strategic companies as
an option for Bulgaria, although it is being considered by other
 EU countries.

Prime Minister Borissov informed the President that he spoke to
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban by phone and was assured
by him that the Bulgarian trucks waiting to cross Hungary on
their way back home will be given a corridor for clear passage.
LN/PP