Mask Requirement and Reduction in Consular Services
Consular services: The U.S. Embassy Sofia will return to more limited consular services effective Monday, October 26. We will continue to provide Emergency American Citizen Services, passport and Consular Report of Birth Abroad services, voting assistance, and some limited visa services.
U.S. Embassy Sofia has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens who visit or reside in Bulgaria. U.S. citizens who require assistance should contact the Embassy by email at ACS_Sofia@state.gov or by phone at+359-2-937-5100. For after-hour emergencies (that is, the arrest, death, or danger to the safety and security of U.S. citizens), please call +359-2-937-5101.
Expanded mask requirement/exceptions: On October 21, 2020, the Bulgarian Minister of Health expanded the requirement to cover one’s mouth and nose, effective until November 30, 2020. All persons must cover their mouth and nose with a covering in all indoor public spaces (including hospitals, pharmacies, administrative institutions, shops, malls, churches, museums, and all public transportation including railway, bus, and metro stations, and airports, etc.). In addition, all persons must cover their mouth and nose with a covering when located in open public places where there is a cluster of people and an inability to observe a physical distance of 1.5 meters.
Those excepted from these requirements are (1) customer of restaurants and bars; (2) participants in indoor and outdoor sports during the time of the physical activity; (3) participants in congress/conference events, briefings, press conferences, and seminars during a speech (lecture, presentation, etc.), while observing a physical distance of 1.5 m from other participants; (4) the participants (presenters and guests) in television broadcasts, subject to a 1.5 m physical distance from other participants; and, (5) children up to 6 years of age.
More information on the order can be found on the Bulgarian Ministry of Health website.
Actions to take:
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Consult the CDC website for the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Bulgaria.
Contact information:
- U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria +359-2-937-5100 (business hours) +359-2-937-5101 (after hours—emergencies only—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
