From Friday the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus infection will hold its usual daily press conferences online, from a studio, Minister of State for International Communication and Relations Zoltán Kovács announced at a press conference held on Thursday in Budapest.

The head of the communications tasks force – one of the ten tasks forces set up in the interest of the containment of the coronavirus – highlighted that the virus was present everywhere in Hungary; therefore, precautions must be taken.

Parallel with the spread of the virus, the containment effort has reached a new stage, and all the signs appear to indicate that, despite warnings, it will be impossible to avoid the phase of mass incidences, Mr Kovács said, adding that this is why they have decided about the introduction of new procedures in the work of the press as well. He observed that they had received feedback regarding the Thursday Governmentinfo press conference that journalists did not feel safe, given that they were seated in a relatively crowded space where a single microphone was handed around.

From Friday, they are also extending the group of participants: they are also expecting questions from members of the international press, staff members of county newspapers, and press representatives from county-ranked cities. Journalists can ask questions online, at the address [[[EiBtVfuAVuvclvUCDt7jzGjQrYaW50Y29tbUBtay5nb3YuaHU=]]], the Minister of State said.

He pointed out that regular press conferences will continue.

During the day, they will inform editorial offices about the newly introduced procedure in a communication. At the same time, Mr Kovács asked everyone to observe the government’s recommendations and the instructions of the authorities, including recommendations relating to the washing of hands and maintaining social distancing.

The Minister of State asked members of the press to cooperate in this new procedure. He added that they will supply all information that is at their disposal as it is in their best interests that everyone should be informed from reliable sources about “how we are fighting the virus” and which stage the spread of the virus is in.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)