Emergency Epidemic Situation in Bulgaria: What is Allowed

What legislative changes were introduced?

Bulgaria's Parliament on May 12 approved at second reading the amendments to the Health Act, according to which after the end of the coronavirus state of emergency on May 13, an epidemic emergency situation may be declared, without setting a specific deadline, by a decision of the Council of Ministers on the proposal of the Health Minister and based on analysis of the existing epidemic risk performed by the Chief State Health Inspector.

The previous draft of the amendments gave the power to declare epidemic emergency to the Health Minister, at the recommendation of the chief state health inspector.

According to the new amendments, emergency epidemic situation can be declared with 8 clear criteria and if there is a serious danger to human life and health from infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

The fines for violating anti-epidemic measures and for non-compliance with the quarantine remain unchanged after the end of the state of emergency on May 13. People who do not comply with the introduced anti-epidemic measures will be fined between 300 and 1,000 BGN. In case of repeated violation, the fine will be between 1,000 and 2,000 BGN. A person suffering from a contagious disease, as well as a contagious carrier, who refuses or does not fulfill
the mandatory iisolation and/or treatment, will be subject to a fine in the amount of 5,000 BGN.

The 14 day obligatory quarantine for people entering Bulgaria remains in place. A contact person of a patient with a contagious disease, as well as a person who has entered Bulgaria from other countries, who refuses or does not fulfill the obligatory quarantine, will also be subject to a 5,000 BGN fine.

The duration of most...