Bulgaria’s Deputy Premier: Decision on Loosening Anti-Epidemic Measures Will Be Taken Next Week

"No one has said what will happen to the anti-epidemic measures since early February. This is due to happen within the next seven days. I expect the government to come out with a decision early next week," said in the studio of "Hello Bulgaria" Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev.

According to him, no one can commit to a preliminary forecast. It depends on the morbidity rates dynamics only.

"There are countries that have spent most of the previous year under a strict lockdown. However, the number of infected there is high. Even after shut-downs people get infected. The restrictive measures need to be applied cleverly", said Donchev.

"The state is trying to help businesses. The best we can do for them is to allow them to do their business," the Deputy Prime Minister added.

He further said that he did not want to see restaurants open even with the restrictions.

About the state financial support

"There are measures introduced to protect employees, workers and businesses. There is no measure that guarantees the company's revenue it had before the epidemic. The aid schemes that were implemented at the beginning of the pandemic enjoyed much higher interest than those offered now", explained Donchev.

According to him, one explanation for the small number of companies applying for state support is the fact that some of them have "stepped with one foot" in the grey sector.

"This leads to an additional fear that state inspections will follow. Something we never thought to do," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

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