The government has decided to extend border controls on the internal Schengen border in the interest of dealing with the consequences of the coronavirus epidemic, and protecting the health and lives of Hungarian citizens, the deputy head of the duty centre of the Operational Group responsible for the fight against the coronavirus epidemic said at an online press conference held on Thursday.

Róbert Kiss highlighted that the government had extended until 1 November border controls and border protection temporarily reinstated on 1 September.

The Police Lt. Colonel said the government decree on the travel restrictions of the period of the state of disease control preparedness also contains specific provisions relating to transit passengers travelling through Hungary. Pursuant to these, non-Hungarian nationals may enter Hungary for transit purposes if they subject themselves to health screening and are not suspected of having coronavirus infection. A condition is to verify the purpose of travel and to prove that entry into the country of destination is guaranteed.

International cargo traffic is only allowed on designated routes, and those participating in international cargo traffic are only allowed to stop at designated border crossing stations, filling stations and rest areas. Another condition is that those entering the country are required to leave Hungary within 24 hours.

The police are continuously monitoring compliance with the rules relating to transit through Hungary together with members of the defence forces, he said, adding that on Wednesday the police were required to take action against violators in 46 instances. One person was cautioned, 44 were given onsite fines, while one person was prosecuted.

Since the travel restrictions were introduced in September, the police have been required to take action in 3,956 instances, including 1,314 cautions, 1,307 onsite fines and 1,335 prosecutions. Regarding border traffic, he said in cargo traffic on the entry side there is a three-hour wait at Röszke and Tompa, while in passenger traffic also on the entry side travellers should expect a two-hour wait at Beregsurány.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister / MTI)