Bulgaria: Lockdown Lifted for Big Non-Food Stores, Tough Sanitary Measures Remain in Place

The big non-food retail stores will be able to open and operate with some more restrictions, announced Minister of Economy Lachezar Borisov.

"I have issued instructions that independent outlets and non-food stores in shopping centers to which there is direct access - entrance from the street or parking lot, can continue their activity, observing the anti-epidemic measures.

Stores with an area of over 300 sq.m, selling non-food items, can also work if they isolate a shopping area of up to 300 sq.m with partition walls, cordons, stands, etc.

Outside of retail outlets, in open areas commercial activity will be allowed in compliance with the restrictions," he said.

Thus, restrictions for this type of stores will be lifted only four days after they were closed.

During the second wave, they were often referred to as a place where large groups of people flocked, without complying with any anti-epidemic measures. They were not closed during the lockdown, which has been in place since the end of November.

Schools, cultural institutions remain closed.