The construction of the container hospital in Kiskunhalas is making good progress, and the equipment necessary for assisted ventilation has already been installed, the head of the duty centre of the operational group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus infection said at an online press conference held on Wednesday.

Tibor Lakatos highlighted that the government had set aside another HUF 15 billion for procurements, and so the distribution of protective supplies can continue on the basis of the Operational Group’s instructions.

He also informed the press that a temporary hospital for the treatment of 330 persons had been set up on the premises of the Hungexpo fair centre in Budapest where the available capacity could be increased further. He stressed that they will only use these temporary facilities if normal hospital capacities are no longer sufficient.

He said the procurement of ventilators, medical face masks, special protective supplies and rubber gloves is ongoing, and with the launch of production in Hungary there will be no obstacle to the ongoing supply of hospitals with disinfectants.

The Operational Group has ordered the extension of the capacities of intensive care wards; this is currently under way throughout the country, he said, adding that as ventilators are arriving, they are able to make more intensive care beds available. The county containment committees are providing help with this work.

He also said the mayors of some settlements had imposed local curfews; regarding these measures, the competent government appointees will inform the municipalities concerned about their review findings.

He said at the morning meeting of the Operational Group they reviewed the restrictive measures which Italy, Austria and Hungary had introduced in the interest of preventing the spread of the virus and reducing its speed. According to their assessment, in Austria the locally imposed quarantine orders, the reinstatement of border controls, the tightening of the entry rules in relation to Hungary and the imposition of compulsory home quarantine for individuals arriving from infected areas have proved to be an effective series of measures. These efforts have contributed to “the slowing down of the spread of the epidemic, and have enabled us to prepare” for the phase of mass incidences, Mr Lakatos said.

According to his information, incoming and outgoing traffic is disruption-free at Hungary’s border crossing points. Some delays can be expected at Röszke in the entry direction, at Csanádpalota in exit cargo and passenger traffic, and at Ártánd in exit and entry cargo traffic.

In answer to a question, Mr Lakatos said so far the competent disease control authorities had ordered compulsory home quarantine for persons who had arrived from infected areas or had been found to be contact persons who could endanger the health of others. He pointed out that so far infected patients had not been placed in compulsory home quarantine, they had all been taken to health care institutions. He added that during the phase of mass incidences this arrangement could change.

Those who are in compulsory home quarantine and violate the rules relating to isolation and observation commit a breach of the law; they can be cautioned, fined on site or prosecuted by the police, while the disease control authorities can also impose fines. Regarding the sanctions imposed by the police, he said two persons had been cautioned, on-site fines ranging between HUF 31,500 and HUF 50,000 had been imposed in 26 instances, and 157 persons had been prosecuted. These procedures are ongoing and the maximum amount of the fine is HUF 150,000.

Regarding the monitoring of compliance with restrictions on the opening hours of shops, he observed that if shop owners do not observe the rules, they can expect fines up to HUF 500,000.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister)