Local authorities started implementing new restrictions after the government gave them the go-ahead on Tuesday. So far, 10 of the 28 regions have, or are planning to, renew restrictions in some form, including Sofia, Blagoevgrad, Yambol and Burgas. For example, Sofia has administered a curfew for restaurants, and online learning for 5th to 12th graders in schools - a move Burgas is also considering. Blagoevgrad and Yambol are closing malls and gyms as hospitals start feeling the pressure again. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov expressed confidence that these local measures will be effective and the situation will normalize soon.
The state is looking for a firm to maintain Struma's smart transport systems
The Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) has announced a public procurement for the maintenance of the smart transport system on the Struma motorway in Southwest Bulgaria over the next five years for 5 million levs (sans VAT). The section in question is between Kresna and Sandanski, which construction company GBS completed ahead of schedule, and has been operational since the end of 2018.
Aresgaz to acquire Atlas Utilities
The Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) has allowed Aresgaz, owned by Italian AchegazApsAmga, to acquire Bulgarian company Atlas Utilities, which is engaged in water supply and construction of water and sewage networks. The deal will allow Aresgaz, which deals with the construction and management of gas distribution networks, as well as with the transmission, distribution, and supply of natural gas, to expand its network to the territory of the municipality of Varna, the third-largest city in the country.
GERB will get extra funding for media in the election campaign
Even though GERB receives a state subsidy, their coalition with Union of Democratic Forces (SDS) received additional funding for its campaign, although Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's party received a state subsidy. Both parties are entitled to a media package of 20,000 levs (10,225 euro). The Patriotic Coalition - Volya, run by Veselin Mareshki, and NFSB (Valeri Simeonov) also received additional funding and is entitled to a media package of 30,000 levs. They are also currently in parliament, which grants them a state subsidy. The coalitions received the extra funding because there are formations in them that do not receive a state subsidy as a party in parliament. According to the Electoral Code, in such cases, only part of the full amount (40,000 levs) of the additional funding for media packages is given.
Local authorities started implementing new restrictions after the government gave them the go-ahead on Tuesday. So far, 10 of the 28 regions have, or are planning to, renew restrictions in some form, including Sofia, Blagoevgrad, Yambol and Burgas. For example, Sofia has administered a curfew for restaurants, and online learning for 5th to 12th graders in schools - a move Burgas is also considering. Blagoevgrad and Yambol are closing malls and gyms as hospitals start feeling the pressure again. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov expressed confidence that these local measures will be effective and the situation will normalize soon.
