In its latest information films, the government calls upon members of the public to minimise personal contact meetings, the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister said on the Thursday programme of the public service television news channel M1.

In these, they ask everyone to avoid not only larger gatherings, but also social contact meetings in general, and to only leave their homes when going to work, shopping or to help elderly relatives, Csaba Dömötör said.

If they do meet others, they should keep a distance of 1 to 2 metres, the politician said outlining the message of the campaign films.

He stressed that while in this situation, physicians, the authorities and the government are all responsible for containing the virus, the epidemic can only be conquered if everyone behaves responsibly.

Meaning that this is not a situation which only affects others; everyone is responsible for everyone else, the State Secretary added.

At the same time, he repeatedly asked those most at risk, the elderly to stay at home.

If they need assistance, local governments must provide for their needs, he said.

He also called upon young people to stay in because while they are symptom-free, they may well carry the virus and infect others.

Regarding the economy protection action plans announced by the Prime Minister, he highlighted that they primarily serve to preserve jobs.

Therefore, in the most affected sectors of the economy such as tourism, catering, passenger transport services and sports, employers are exempted from payment of the pension contributions of their employees, while in the case of the health insurance contribution they are only required to pay the statutory minimum.

They will also suspend collection of the tourism development contribution until 30 June, and taxi drivers paying the flat-rate tax of small businesses will not be required to pay the flat-rate tax, he listed.

They are likewise suspending the repayment of loans taken out before 18 March, and have maximised the interest on consumer loans at the central bank base rate plus 5 per cent, Mr Dömötör added.

(MTI)