Роль інститутів ЄС у подоланні наслідків пандемії COVID-19 у Болгарії

Abstract

The article deals with the measures developed by the institutions of the European Union to counter the spread of COVID-19 in Bulgaria. In the context of the pandemic, the leadership of the European Commission set up a Group to combat coronavirus, whose task was to help citizens of EU member states to adapt to the conditions of the newly introduced quarantine restrictions. Additional funds were allocated from the EU budget both for the socio-economic needs of EU citizens and for research into the COVID-19 virus. In the first months of quarantine, the activities of EU institutions related to the fight against the epidemic and assistance to the population were standardized. To inform the citizens about the epidemiological situation in a timely manner, as well as to counteract the spread of panic and false news, appropriate online information portals have been created both at the supranational level and at the level of national governments. Taking into account the new realities, with the assistance of the European Commission, the draft budget of the European Union for 2021-2027 was updated. In the case of Bulgaria, in parallel with the European partners, the government has introduced regulations aimed at limiting social contacts and creating conditions for distance work and study. Citizens of countries where high rates of coronavirus spread have been banned from entering Bulgaria. In order to support citizens who could not work in quarantine, additional funds were provided through the EU structural investment funds, as well as a system of interest-free loans. On the Internet, in the context of the Unified Information Portal, an information base for the population about the pandemic has been created. As in other EU countries, vaccines from European and American manufacturers have been certified in Bulgaria.