The outgoing government voted to extend the emergency epidemic period in Bulgaria.

At a meeting of the Council of Ministers, livestreamed on Facebook, it became clear that emergency situation would be in place until the end of May.

Health Minister Kostadin Angelov said that Bulgaria is emerging successfully from the third wave of the coronavirus. He pointed out that there was a downward trend in the rate of hospitalized, deceased and newly infected.

In his words, the vaccination rollout keeps an extremely good pace and the situation is under control at the national level.

Angelov also announced that today the order will be issued, which will regulate the three ways of entering the country. The aim is to make work easier for tour operators.

For his part, Finance Minister Kiril Ananiev reported that BGN 83 million had been allocated for additional remuneration of BGN 1,000/month for frontline medical staff employed in the health ministry structure and the remaining BGN 60 million for other frontline medics.

Ananiev refuted today's statement by President Rumen Radev, who accused the outgoing government of failing to update the budget. He assured that all expenses were financially secured, with COVID-19 costs’ coverage for businesses and families ensured for May and June. In his words, next week with Minister of Labor and Social Policy Denitsa Sacheva they will also submit a draft decree, which will approve BGN 240-million worth support for households and businesses.