Important Notice/Alerts Important Notice/Alerts

Advisory for Indian nationals on COVID-19

Posted on: March 16, 2020 | Back | Print

Embassy of India

Sofia

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Advisory for Indian nationals in Bulgaria and North Macedonia in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and declaration of a state of emergency by the Government of Bulgaria

1. In view of the spread of COVID-19 in Bulgaria and North Macedonia, the Embassy of India, Sofia is monitoring the situation and is in touch with authorities in the two countries.

2. All Indian nationals in Bulgaria and North Macedonia are advised to follow advisories and guidelines issued by the respective Governments and local municipalities on the subject.

3. The Embassy of India in Sofia remains open and can be contacted on at the following numbers and emails:

General Nos. (Office Hours)

+359  2 963 5675/76/77

Emergency No.  (after office hours)

 Mr. Ankit Kanwat : +359  876 886 165

Email

cons.sofia@mea.gov.in

hoc.sofia@mea.gov.in


4. Please note that consular services remain open only for emergency services by appointment.  While routine consular services would continue through postal services, physical submission of documents etc. has been temporarily discontinued.

5. Travel of passengers from member countries of the European Union to India is prohibited with effect from 18th March 2020. No airline shall board a passenger from these nations to India with effect from 1200 GMT on 18th March 2020. The airline shall enforce this at the port of initial departure. These instructions are temporary measures and shall be in force till 31st March 2020 and will be reviewed subsequently

6. Entry into Bulgaria has been prohibited for citizens of India and some other countries w.e.f. 00.00 hours on 18 March 2020. Long term residents and those holding Permanent Residency in Bulgaria and members of their families are exempt from this order.

7. For those Indian citizens wishing to return to Bulgaria or North Macedonia, please follow the respective Government’s travel advisories (https://www.mfa.bg/en/customnews/main/24737) & (https://www.mfa.gov.mk/).

8. For India related queries, travel advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/) and the Bureau of Immigration (https://boi.gov.in/) may be checked. Details of Ministry of External Affairs helplines for COVID-19 are given below:

Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, India –

Helplines for COVID-19

1800118797 (toll free)

00-91-11-23012113

00-91-11-23014104

00-91-11-23017905

00-91-11-23018158 (Fax)

Email : covid19@mea.gov.in


9. In case of any health related emergency in Bulgaria, the National hotline numbers are:

Telephone No.

(During working hours for General information)

+359 2 9301 152

+ 359 2 9301 253

+ 359 2 9301 259

Telephone No.

(From 2000 hrs to 0800 hrs and during weekends. They also tackle COVID-19 Cases/announcements)

+ 359 02 8050 300

+359 08 8833 4545

9. All classes in the Embassy, including Yoga, Hindi and Sanskrit remain suspended till further notice.

10. All Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to register online (http://www.indembsofia.gov.in/register/) on the Embassy website.

11. Please follow our website (www.indembsofia.gov.in) and social media for regular updates.  The details are -  Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/IndiaInBulgaria/) and Twitter account (@IndiaInBulgaria)