From Monday, family events after weddings and funerals can also be held in Budapest, a staff member of the duty centre of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic said at an online press conference held on Monday.

Police Lt. Colonel Róbert Kiss added that, based on the government decree, the number of attendees cannot exceed 200, and social distancing must be observed. He added that from Monday wedding ceremonies and family events after weddings can also be held in restaurants and hotels, and “live musical accompaniment” is allowed as well.

He also said from 15 June libraries will reopen to visitors.

Mr Kiss highlighted that the number of persons registering for the mobile phone application which serves the electronic monitoring of compulsory home quarantine has risen to 2,681, with 691 active users at present. On Sunday, 428 compulsory home quarantine orders were issued; the number of persons in compulsory home quarantine currently stands at 7,707.

He mentioned that the number of criminal procedures instituted in connection with the epidemic had risen to 439, including 126 due to scaremongering, 29 due to the threat of public endangerment, 133 due to fraud and 28 due to the violation of disease control regulations. The police have questioned 81 suspects so far.

Regarding the fact that the number of infections is rising both in Ukraine and Romania, Mr Kiss said there are ongoing border checks at Hungarian-Ukrainian and Hungarian-Romanian border crossing points.

He added that non-Hungarian nationals are not allowed to enter the territory of Hungary, not including the nationals of states covered by bilateral agreements. Only agricultural workers, persons requesting special consideration and Romanian and Ukrainian nationals heading for Western Europe are allowed to enter Hungary from Romania and Ukraine.

The Operational Group is continuously analysing and evaluating the latest epidemic data, based on which it is necessary to uphold strict restrictions.

In answer to a question about the reopening of indoor theatres and cinemas, he said with the cessation of the state of danger these institutions will probably also be allowed to reopen. He indicated that the government will lay down the relevant rules in a decree which will be promulgated – as expected – after the Wednesday cabinet meeting.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)