Members of the public must continue to observe the measures adopted due to the coronavirus epidemic in a disciplined manner because this guarantees the slowing down of the spread of the virus, the Minister of State for International Communication and Relations said on Kossuth Radio’s programme ‘Good morning, Hungary’ on Thursday.

Zoltán Kovács said from Monday new regulations will take effect in rural Hungary; however, in Budapest and its environs, the same restrictions will remain in force as before.

In the countryside, it will be possible to restart services and to extend the opening hours of shops. At the same time, the measures relating to those over 65 will continue to remain in effect. Budapest and its environs must be treated separately because they account for the highest number of infections and also most of the fatalities, he explained.

He added that at the weekend the leaders of settlements would again be given the authority to introduce more stringent measures locally.

The Minister of State also said, in cooperation with clinical centres, they will conduct a representative survey regarding the rate of infection in the country.

This will show the extent of the spread of the virus, as at the present time, also in a territorial breakdown. However, testing still does not stop the spread of the virus, Mr Kovács pointed out.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)