SOFIA, Reuters – In response to a coronavirus-positive participant in a security conference they were attending, the president, prime minister and top ministers of Bulgaria have been placed into self-isolation.

Angel Kunchev, the chief health inspector said that everyone in Monday’s consultative National Security Council were in good health. However, they would continue to be isolated after Nikola Minchev was positive for HIV.

The meeting included President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Kiril Petrov, as well as the ministers for interior, finance, and defence, and other senior political figures.

They discussed the situation of Bulgaria and North Macedonia. After a discussion, they decided to lift Bulgaria’s veto at Skopje’s EU-accession talks. However, it should be linked to tangible results.

Petkov was originally planning to travel to North Macedonia Jan. 18, but it may be postponed.

According to Reuters, a government spokesperson said the prime minister would be quarantined as per rules. We will notify you when a new date has been set for a North Macedonia visit.

The government stated that Petkov will keep his job remotely, while Kalina Konstantinova will take over any duties that necessitate him to be present.

Recently, there has been an increase in coronavirus-related infections in Bulgaria due to the Omicron variant of the Omicron virus spreading through the least vaccinated state in the European Union.

A country of seven million reported on Tuesday 6,761 cases, and over 800 were admitted. 31672 people have died in the pandemic.

After the Health Ministry changed self-isolation rules effective January 11, the officials and politicians at the Monday meeting may remain in quarantine up to seven more days.

Contact persons who have received full vaccinations and are unable to obtain a booster dose may be allowed to leave quarantine earlier, if they submit a negative PCR testing within 72 hours.

Kostadin Kostadinov (leader of the ultra-nationalist Revival Party and an anti-vaccine activist, also attended the security conference) said that he had tested negative for coronavirus Tuesday.

The party he represents has called COVID vaccinations an “experimental fluid”. On Wednesday, it will organize a demonstration against the mandatory health card for indoor access to shopping malls, cafes, and other venues.