site.btaNew COVID-19 Cases in Bulgaria, New Border Crossing Restrictions Introduced

March 12 (BTA) - Nine new people tested positive for
COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon, thus bringing to 16 the
confirmed novel coronavirus
cases in Bulgaria, the national
coronavirus task force said Thursday. All of the new cases are
in Sofia.

The fast spread of the
disease across Europe has prompted many countries to take urgent
 measures, including border crossing changes and travel
restrictions, some of which are in neighbouring countries.

A 74 year-old man, who was admitted to Sofia's Pirogov Emergency
 Hospital Tuesday together with his wife, is in critical
condition. His wife passed away on Wednesday, becoming the first
 fatality of the disease in Bulgaria.

During a visit to the northern city of Pleven, President Rumen
Radev said that without doubt Bulgaria is facing a serious
social and economic challenge. "We have the capacity and
strength to overcome this with everyone's efforts and
solidarity," the head of State said. He stressed the importance
of not interrupting production activity.

At the same time Prime Minister Boyko Borissov was in Gabrovo,
northern Bulgaria, where a textiles company has just started
producing protective wear for medical personnel. He was shown
the production process and the first 40,000 m of fabric that has
 polled off the production line. "The purpose of all this we are
 doing is to show Bulgarian people that our industry can
restructure itself in a matter of days and start producing what
we need,"  said Borissov.  The Gabrovo factory will produce
between 12,000 and 14,000 protective coveralls.

Once again, the Prime Minister urged people not to give in to
panic.

He spoke about the importance of having enough ventilators.

A government press release said that Bulgaria has 2,063 hospital
 beds for intensive care. Hospitals have 1,463 ventilators with
another 142 in outpatient establishments, 289 in ambulances and
53 in emergency rooms. The coronavirus task force has ordered
200.

New changes, restrictions in Bulgaria over COVID-19

Starting Thursday, Sofia's' 2nd City Hospital is being
transformed into a temporary infectious disease hospital. Sofia
Mayor Yordanka Fandakova said that the other hospitals that have
 dedicated infectious disease wards continue to work as usual.
Sofia's Military Medical Academy, Pirogov Emergency Hospital and
 Alexandrovska Hospital, which are the capital's biggest
hospitals, will continue to admit the most serious COVID-19
cases.

The Sofia Municipality has taken a series of measures, including
 frequent disinfection of public transport vehicles and the
underground metro stations. The sale of tickets inside buses,
trolleybuses, etc. is suspended.

Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev ordered an
extension of the flu break in schools declared in response to a
type B flu epidemic. Schools will remain closed until March 16
in the regions of Sofia, Lovech, Rousse, Stara Zagora and
Yambol. Schools are also shut down in a number of municipalities
 in other regions across the country on decisions of the local
governments.

Border crossing changes, restrictions in neighbouring countries

Traffic is temporarily suspended for people and vehicles through
 the Oltomantsi, Strazimirovtsi and Bregovo checkpoints on the
border with Serbia and all traffic to and from Serbia is
re-directed to the Kalotina and Vrashka Chouka border crossings.
 
Serbia has temporarily banned foreigners arriving from Italy,
China, South Korea, Iran and Switzerland. The ban is valid for
all travellers, including those transiting.

Travellers arriving from high-risk destinations to North
Macedonia will only be allowed to cross into the country through
 the Gyueshevo and Deve Bair border crossings.

There is heavy traffic of trucks at the Vidin-Danibe Bridge and
Kardam border checkpoints on the Bulgarian-Romanian border.

Foreign nationals, including Bulgarians, who are travelling to
Romania from Italy, China, Iran and South Korea, will be
quarantined for 14 days regardless of their means of transport.

Cargo trucks exceeding 3.5 tonnes in weight are exempt from the
traffic restrictions. The measures and restrictions will be
applied to river and maritime transport as well.

The Bulgarian Embassy in Croatia informed about a new measure
introduced by the Croatian authorities regarding trucks
transiting its territory.

At least 14 days must have elapsed from when truck drivers
entering Croatia from Serbia have left Italy. Otherwise, drivers
 will be quarantined depending on how many days have passed from
 when last exited Italy. RY/ZH