For the first time during the spread of the coronavirus epidemic in Hungary, the number of recovered patients has exceeded the number of active infections, the head of the duty centre of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic said at an online press conference held on Saturday

Police Colonel Tibor Lakatos said the latest favourable data proves that Hungary, Hungarian citizens and health care workers have done everything they could to successfully contain the spread of the virus.

He highlighted that 1,230 persons have already registered for the mobile phone application which serves the electronic monitoring of compulsory home quarantine, and the number of active users currently stands at 948. The number of those who have completed the health care questionnaire attached to the application has risen further, to 911. He also said the police were only required to conduct onsite checks in 239 instances. This indicates that with this application the authorities are able to check compliance with the applicable regulations much more effectively, respecting the privacy of those ordered to retire to compulsory home quarantine, he said.

He described border traffic as balanced, observing that another five border crossing stations have been opened to transit traffic at the Romanian-Hungarian border – Csengersima, Gyula, Vállaj, Nyírábrány and Battonya – and they are planning to open further border crossing points for transit passengers.

He also recalled that from Friday at the Austrian-Hungarian border section Austrian and Hungarian nationals are allowed to enter the territories of the two countries if they have a negative coronavirus test certificate, a so-called PCR test certificate issued not more than 4 days previously. In this case, they are not required to retire to compulsory home quarantine.

In answer to the question about the extent to which Austrian and Hungarian nationals are taking advantage of this possibility, he said they have as yet very little experience about the option that was introduced on Friday. He said this measure primarily seeks to help Hungarian nationals to return home, and some people have already availed themselves of the possibility. He added that their experience so far shows that those returning home from Austria typically sought prior exemption before entry from the National Police Constabulary.

Regarding the fact that Slovak nationals are allowed to cross the Slovak-Hungarian border if they are staying in Hungary for less than 24 hours, in answer to a question about when this option will also become available to Hungarian nationals upon entry into the territory of Slovakia, he said there are ongoing consultations with neighbouring countries about the crossing of borders; the Slovak government has not decided yet.

In answer to a question about the various sanctions imposed in connection with violations, the Colonel said the police officers taking action decide whether to caution the person, to impose an onsite fine or to prosecute the violator. They decide in light of the circumstances of the violation, and also take into consideration whether the person concerned had committed similar breaches in the past. If so, they impose a more severe sanction, he added.

Regarding compulsory home quarantine, he stressed that the rules had not changed since the introduction of the restrictive measures; Hungarian nationals returning home from abroad are still required to retire to compulsory home quarantine for 14 days. Some relaxing measures have, however, been introduced, including that cross-border commuters and students have received exemption, those arriving from Austria with negative test certificates issued not more than 4 days previously are not required to retire to compulsory home quarantine, and Hungarian nationals returning home who are able to verify that they have recovered from the disease and no longer pose a threat of infection or that they spent 14 days in disease control observation abroad are likewise not subjected to restrictive measures.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)