Type of Intervention: Advisory
Sectors Involved: Foreign Affairs, Tourism
Intervention Categories: International travel measures
Level of Jurisdiction: National
Lead People/Agency: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Overview: Currently there is no need to close the borders of Bulgaria. All Bulgarian citizens are free to return from abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, urges Bulgarian citizens to refrain from traveling abroad unless absolutely necessary. It also urges Bulgarians living abroad to “exercise high self-awareness and care for their loved ones by rethinking a possible return to Bulgaria in the coming weeks on various occasions, including personal or the upcoming Easter holidays”.
The Risk Index for traveling have been upgraded for 12 countries: Iran to level 5 (Warning to cease all trips and leave the country immediately); South Korea and Spain to level 4 (Warning to suspend travel throughout the country (except where absolutely necessary); France, Germany and Japan to level 3 (Recommendation not to travel to certain areas of the country except where necessary); and Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and the US to level 2 (Caution – be informed about the current situation in the country). The Risk Index for traveling remain unchanged at level 5 for China and level 4 for Italy.
Full details here: https://www.mfa.bg/bg/situationcenter/24738
Other links: 1 2
Type of Justification: Advice of EXTERNAL expert advisor or advisory committee, Perception of an increased threat
Source of Evidence or Justification: World Health Organisation
Evidence/Justification: The Ministry recall that the measures are related to the spread of COVID-19 and the pandemic declared by the World Health Organization.