Bulgaria to reopen shopping malls from Monday as virus curbs eased

Bulgaria will allow shopping malls to reopen on Monday as part of its push to ease restrictions imposed two months ago to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Friday.

The government introduced a state of emergency on March 14 that imposed travel bans, closed schools, restaurants and shopping malls, and prompted many businesses to limit or halt operations due to restrictions and reduced demand.

It started easing the partial lockdown in late April but continued to enforce strict social measures on many of its citizens and businesses, helping prevent widespread community spread of the virus.