Bulgarian health authorities have eased coronavirus restrictions, three days before a general election and despite a raging third wave that has seen hospital admissions spike.

“In recent days we have been at the peak of the third wave but infection rates are starting to go down,” Health Minister Kostadin Angelov said, according to AFP.

He confirmed the ministry will go ahead with the easing and allow restaurant and cafe terraces to re-open after a 10-day closure along with cinemas, theatres, swimming pools and other recreation venues that will be allowed to operate at 30 per cent capacity.