Bulgaria ordered stores that do not sell food to shut down Friday to stem a spread of the new coronavirus as lawmakers approved fines and jail terms for quarantine violations, AFP reports.

Parliament declared a state of emergency to run until April 13, paving the way for more drastic measures as the number of infections tripled in 24 hours to a total of 23, including one death.

In a subsequent order, Health Minister Kiril Ananiev ordered the closure of shops — except food stores and pharmacies — shopping malls, casinos, bars and restaurants with immediate effect until March 29.

Schools, universities and kindergartens were also closed, as were theatres, cinemas, concert halls and sports venues.

A man walks out of a supermarket in front of a queue in Sofia, Bulgaria on March 13, 2020. The Bulgarian government decided by decree on Friday the immediate closure until March 29 of all non-essential businesses in the face of the epidemic of the new coronavirus . — AFP
A man walks out of a supermarket in front of a queue in Sofia, Bulgaria on March 13, 2020. The Bulgarian government decided by decree on Friday the immediate closure until March 29 of all non-essential businesses in the face of the epidemic of the new coronavirus . — AFP

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