The country must remain up and running, whilst maintaining our containment effort in a disciplined manner, by observing the rules. Therefore, the latest, already announced protective measures will take effect from 21 September. The details can be found in the government decrees published in Magyar Közlöny [Hungarian Gazette].

From Monday, the wearing of face masks will be compulsory not only on public transport and in shops, but also in shopping centres, cinemas, theatres, museums, premises of libraries open to members of the public, health care and social institutions, as well as on public service and postal customer service premises.

The appropriate wearing of face masks means that they must cover both the mouth and the nose. Another important change is that people will be required to wear actual face masks, it will not be enough to cover their mouths with scarves or kerchiefs. The official fixed price of PCR tests and the restriction on events involving music and dancing as well as on the opening hours of catering establishments, clubs and bars – they will only be allowed to remain open until 11.00 p.m. - will also take effect from Monday. Naturally, the ban on events with an attendance of more than 500 will remain in force. Pursuant to the government’s decision, from 1 October, regardless of age, anyone will have access to the vaccine against the flu free of charge.

Non-compliance with the obligation of wearing a face mask will result in more stringent sanctions. A person who refuses to wear a face mask could be removed from means of public transport and could be given a fine of up to HUF 50,000. Punishment could be even more severe if a person – in the absence of cooperation – disrupts public transport; in this case, police action could be initiated and the person could even expect a custodial sentence.

Observance of the rules related to the obligation of wearing a face mask will be checked by the trade authority in the case of shops, cinemas and shopping centres, and by representatives of the government office in all other places, while the police can check compliance on any premises. The observance of the obligation of wearing a face mask is also the responsibility of the operators of shops, shopping centres and cinemas. If the operator notices that a person is not wearing a face mask, he or she may call upon that person to put on a face mask, and if that person refuses to put on a face mask despite the warning, he or she must be called upon to leave and may also be denied service. The operator can only be penalised if they do nothing against the breach. In this case, as part of an inspection or based on police notification, the trade authority can impose sanctions on the establishment in multiple stages. There will be warning in the first instance, a fine extending from HUF 100,000 to HUF 1,000,000 in the second instance, and in the third instance the store or premises could be temporarily closed down for minimum 3 days, but for maximum one year.

Body temperature checks in schools and nursery schools

From 1 October, workers and students will only be allowed to enter the premises of nursery schools, schools and vocational institutions after their body temperatures have been checked. Children with a fever must be immediately isolated and the parents must be notified. Parents and other persons of age accompanying children to nursery or elementary schools can enter the premises of institutions up to the point where children’s body temperatures are taken, provided that they wear face masks covering their noses and mouths.

Rules related to entertainment venues

From Monday, catering establishments and entertainment venues will only be allowed to remain open until 11.00 p.m., and the attendance limit of maximum 500 persons will continue to remain in force. Events involving music and dancing held in enclosed spaces or outdoors can only be held – regardless of whether they are public or private, or whether they are one-off or regular events – if the number of persons attending the event, including the personnel, does not at any one time exceed 500, and they must end at 11.00 p.m., at the latest.

PCR tests to have fixed price from Monday

The fixed price of PCR tests, HUF 19,500 for those who seek tests on a voluntary basis will also enter into effect from Monday. It is important to know that in Hungary to date almost 600,000 PCR tests have been performed, the majority of these completely free of charge, at the expense of the state. PCR tests ordered by general practitioners, hospitals and the disease control authority for potential coronavirus patients will remain free. Therefore, only those will have to pay for the test who themselves decide to have the test performed or returning from abroad would like to be released from compulsory home quarantine with 2 negative PCR test results. Health care providers will be allowed to charge maximum HUF 19,500 which will include sample collection and the test itself, and will not be allowed to charge any further additional amounts.

(Government Information Centre)