Bulgaria Announces Coronavirus Lockdown Ahead Of Elections

Bulgaria has announced it will close kindergartens, schools, restaurants, and shopping malls for 10 days as the country battles a surge in COVID-19 infections that have stretched its hospitals, RFE reports.

Health Minister Kostadin Angelov told reporters on March 18 that theaters, cinemas, and gyms will also be closed from March 22, while indoor gatherings of more than 15 people will be banned.

The center-right government of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov was taking all necessary health safety measures for national elections to be held on April 4, he said.

Earlier in the day, Bulgaria reported 4,201 new coronavirus cases, with 7,804 people in hospitals, including 609 in intensive care.

Overall, health authorities have reported more than 290,000 infections and over 11,000 related deaths since the start of the pandemic.