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Международна дейност

COVID-19: Situation update

Due to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria declared state of emergency in the entire territory of the country for one month as of 13 March 2020.

In compliance with the regulations issued by the Ministry of Health regarding the educational activities in the country, MU-Varna has undertaken the following measures: http://mu-varna.bg/EN/Pages/distancionna-forma.aspx

All faculty members, staff, students, and guests are strongly recommended not to leave the country and to minimize their travel in Bulgaria. In case a foreign lecturer, researcher, student or guest leaves Bulgaria during his/her stay in the university, the agreed mobility, internship or visit is considered terminated.

All faculty members, students and administrative staff that have traveled abroad and have entered Bulgaria after 1 March 2020, are obliged to undergo a 14-day quarantine period after their arrival in the country.

Please note that the International Relations Office will remain temporary closed for office visits by students, staff and guests. All issues related to "Erasmus+" mobility in MU-Varna must be communicated by telephone or e-mail:

E-mail: erasmus@mu-varna.bg , Svetlana.panayotova@mu-varna.bg  and tel. +359 52 677 020

This measure aims to preserve the health and safety of everyone, and to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Additionally, the Ministry of Health has imposed the following anti-epidemic measures on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria until 29 March 2020:

All visits to commercial centres and shopping malls, bars, coffee shops, dancing and gaming clubs, restaurants (including fast food restaurants), sport and recreation centres are suspended. Groceries, pharmacies, small shops, bank and insurance offices remain open. Restaurants and fast food restaurants may deliver food by strictly observing all sanitary and hygienic requirements.

All kind of group activities, including sport games, cultural gatherings, entertaining and scientific events (e.g. cinemas, theaters, museums, concerts, conferences, etc.) are suspended.

Entry and Exit Requirements

As of midnight on 17 March 2020, all incoming flights from Italy and Spain will be indefinitely banned.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is advising Bulgarian citizens to refrain from traveling abroad unless absolutely necessary. Travelers arriving from risk countries are subject to medical checks at points of entry and are placed in compulsory quarantine for 14 days at home or in a hospital.

MU-Varna recommends all international students and staff to follow the recommendations and instructions of the Bulgarian authorities and their respective national authorities.

Dear Erasmus students, we would like to remind you that the following weeks shall not be considered as vacation or free time. That is why we urge you not to travel and visit friends or family, neither to go to meetings or parties. Use the time to study.

To support the prevention of further spread of COVID-19, all Erasmus students are strongly recommended to stay at their accommodation as much as possible, to avoid crowded gatherings, especially in closed places, and to follow the prescriptions of the World Health Organization regarding their own health and safety.

Protection against infection

Please refer to the information provided by the World Health Organization:

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Many countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and several have seen outbreaks. Authorities in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing or stopping their outbreaks. However, the situation is unpredictable so check regularly for the latest news.

You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:

– Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

– Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

– Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

– Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

– Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance (national 24-hour information line for Bulgaria: +359 2 807 87 57).

– Follow the directions of the local health authority.

– Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid traveling to places – especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease.

In case of suspicion of infection

If you suspect that you became infected with the virus, you should follow the guidelines outlined here:

Stay at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose, until you recover. Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.

If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance the national information line (+359 2 807 87 57) and inform about any recent travel or contact with travelers. Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

National 24-hour information line for Bulgaria (Ministry of Health):

+359 2 807 87 57

Varna Regional Health Inspectorate:

+359 52 634 019

 

For more information on COVID-19:

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: Questions & Answers

World Health Organization: Questions & Answers