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The measure will take effect by order of the Minister of Health from Thursday
Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev said at a briefing on Tuesday that a decision has been made to reduce the quarantine period for patients with COVID-19 and those who have been in contact with the infected. The decision was taken at the weekly meeting of the expert group, which meets in connection with the current epidemic situation and anti-epidemic measures.
Quarantine for those positive with COVID-19 will be reduced from 10 to 7 days, and quarantine for those who have been in contact with an infected person, will be reduced from 7 to 5 days. Quarantine will not be imposed at all on people who, within three months, have had a full immunization, a booster dose or have recovered from the virus.
The measure will take effect by order of the Minister of Health from Thursday. The change in the quarantine period will also affect currently quarantined citizens.
Global data show that an infected person is contagious and dangerous to others until the fifth day in over 90% of cases, the Chief State Health Inspector added.
According to Prof. Kunchev, this is a small first step towards a gradual loosening of the measures. He added that if the decline in the percentage of sick people continues, dropping some of the other measures, such as wearing masks in public transport, can also be discussed.
Caretaker Health Minister Assen Medzhidiev said that there is a significant decrease in the death rate and the number of sick people in Bulgaria. He argued that this this means that the decisions of the expert council are adequate.
When asked about free antigen tests, Minister Medzhidiev said that all regional health inspectorates currently have free tests.
