The EU member Bulgaria had reactivated an extensive mask requirement. But after just a week, the government decided to abolish it again. Since August 11, 2022, mouth and nose protection has only been required in a few areas in this state.

The Ministry of Health of Bulgaria surprisingly reintroduced the mask requirement earlier this month. Within the country, the measure met with almost no acceptance from the population. After just one week, the government had to accept that the initiative was not very promising. The order was therefore withdrawn, so that wearing mouth and nose protection is only mandatory in a few areas.

The “old new regulation” states that wearing masks is only mandatory in medical facilities such as hospitals, retirement homes, pharmacies and on local public transport, but not on long-distance transport. In all other areas, for example in supermarkets, hotels, restaurants or at airports, there is no obligation to cover your mouth and nose.

According to official information, Bulgaria has the lowest vaccination rate in an EU comparison. Less than a third of the population, which consists of around 6,5 million people, is said to have been vaccinated against Covid-19. However, those people who work abroad and may have been vaccinated there are not included in the number given. Bulgaria also justified the recent abolition of the mask requirement with the fact that more than sufficient capacity should be available in the hospitals.