Location: Bulgaria
Event: The government of Bulgaria has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to work with their airlines to make travel arrangements while flights are still available. Bulgaria has temporarily barred admission to (non-EU) nationals, including U.S. citizens, beginning March 20, 2020, at 12:00 a.m. and until April 17. This includes all border crossing points with any means of transport, including aviation, maritime, rail, and road.
The ban does not apply to: (1) healthcare professionals, health researchers and elderly care professionals; (2) transport personnel engaged in the carriage of goods, crews of aircraft engaged in commercial air transport and other transport personnel as necessary; (3) diplomats, officials of international organizations, military personnel and humanitarian workers in the performance of their duties; (4) persons traveling for humanitarian reasons; (5) third-country nationals who hold a long-term residence permit in an EU Member State and are transiting Bulgaria to return to their country of residence.
Visit the Ministry of Health’s website for additional information on these new measures (Bulgarian only).
Many travelers worldwide have reported unexpected flight cancellations and limited flight availability. If your travel has been disrupted, please contact your airline.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Warning for COVID-19 in Europe advising travelers to avoid non-essential travel to Europe.
Actions to take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Bulgaria
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States
- Visit the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control
- the Bulgarian Ministry of Health website, which has information for citizens and medical professionals./ (Bulgarian only)
Contact Information:
- U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria
+359-2-937-5100 (business hours)
+359-2-937-5101 (after hours emergencies only to mean arrest, death, or danger to the safety and security of U.S. citizens)
ACS_Sofia@state.gov
https://bg.usembassy.gov/ - State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Bulgaria Country Information
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