Adults can now shop at any time.

Starting tomorrow, November 14, seniors will be able to shop at any time. The spring rule is introduced, to prohibit people under 65 from entering pharmacies and grocery stores at certain times. Thus, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., those under 65 will be prohibited from entering pharmacies, and they will not be allowed to visit food stores in the three afternoons. This is an order from the Minister of Health Kostadin Angelov, valid until November 30, 2020, announced on Friday following numerous criticisms of the current situation, allowing retirees to buy only from 8 to 10 hours, but not the rest weather.

The already green corridors, without people under 65, will be at the specified hours, but adults will be able to visit the stores and pharmacies at other times.

Hours earlier, the Ombudsman, Diana Kovacheva, asked the Minister of Health to cancel the shopping corridor in supermarkets and pharmacies for people over 65 in the time interval from 8:00 to 10:00.

“I agree that the complicated pandemic situation in the country requires adequate anti-epidemic measures to limit the spread of the virus, as well as to protect vulnerable groups. However, it seems necessary to pay close attention to the arguments presented by citizens against the planned restriction for people aged 65 or over to visit stores and pharmacies only in the time interval from 8 am to 10 am, “wrote the ombudsman.

Kovacheva announced that she has received complaints from citizens who warn that in the coming winter days, the first hours of the morning for shopping would not be suitable for the elderly and people with reduced mobility, because the weather will be extremely inappropriate: gloomy and with fog, there will be snow accumulated. and icing, in which there is a high probability of accidents requiring even hospital visits and the need for medical attention.

This could further strain the already overheated healthcare system due to the coronavirus. In addition, it is stated that if the elderly and people with chronic diseases, for example, due to health problems or temporary illnesses, do not reach stores and pharmacies within 10 hours, If they live alone and do not have a young person who can buy what they need outside the hours specified in the order, does this mean that they will run out of food and medicine until the next day at 8 am?

He also pointed out that there are people over 65 who work and it will be impossible for them to buy outside working hours. He also emphasized the threat of fining these people if they shop outside of scheduled hours.

Kovacheva thought the spring permit to ban only people under the age of 60 from visiting shops and pharmacies from 8.30 to 10.30 a.m. every day was more appropriate.

This is actually done by order of the Minister of Health, plus an additional green corridor.

This eliminates the threat of fines for retirees who shop outside of the allotted time. On Friday morning, Interior Minister Hristo Terziiski promised violators verbal and written warnings first, and if the violator continued to break the rules, he would be fined.

“There is no way that a pensioner can be fined for buying bread at 10.30 in the morning. In the subway, a policeman, if he sees a citizen without a mask, he will first invite him to put it on. If he has one and it is conscientiously, it will. ” Terziiski told Nova TV.

The Interior Ministry is ready to assist with emergency assistance with transportation and people outside of Sofia, the interior minister said. Currently, police buses transport the sick to the capital. Additionally, police officers deliver prescriptions for RHI quarantine, as health inspections fail in many cases. Information on those in quarantine is received every two hours at regional offices, Terziiski explained. Teams of two policemen go through the addresses. They are equipped with protective equipment such as emergency doctors. Currently, there are around 1,300 police officers who have tested positive for coronavirus. Approximately 70 of them are housed for treatment at the departmental hospital.