The second phase of the fight against the coronavirus has begun, new rules have taken effect in the countryside, 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 drew attention to the fact that in Budapest and Pest County the restrictions on movement continue to remain in effect. In other counties, shops, the gardens and terraces of restaurants, outdoor bathing facilities, outdoor museums and zoos are allowed to stay open without restrictions, he listed.

In answer to a question, the Lt. Colonel said the rules relating to the restricted opening hours of shops do not apply to services, including hairdressers and beauticians, but they are asking the providers and users of services to pay special attention to observing the general rules of hygiene.

In answer to another question, Mr Kiss pointed out that, according to the government decree on containment measures, in shops and on public transport everyone is required to wear scarves or face masks covering the mouth and the nose, meaning that the wearing of face masks is not compulsory for couriers and taxi drivers, but highly recommended.

Regarding the safe distance to be observed in restaurants, the Lt. Colonel said the government decree prescribes a safe distance of one and a half metres between two persons as a general containment measure. In restaurants, the safe distance must be observed as a distance between two tables, and this must be ensured by the operator.

He also said during the long weekend the police had taken action in 4,677 instances in connection with the violation of the restrictions on movement, including 2,292 cautions, 1,319 onsite fines and 1,066 prosecutions. As a result, the police have been required to take action due to the violation of the rules of the restrictions on movement around 45,000 times so far.

On Sunday, 559 compulsory home quarantine orders were issued, resulting in 10,459 compulsory home quarantine orders in effect. The police detected the violation of the rules of compulsory home quarantine in 33 instances, and have so far taken action due to the violation of the rules of compulsory home quarantine in 1,474 instances.

He also said the number of criminal procedures instituted in connection with the epidemic has risen to 315, including 83 due to scaremongering, 26 due to the threat of public endangerment, 96 due to fraud and 18 due to the violation of disease control regulations, while the police have questioned 62 suspects in criminal procedures.

In border traffic, there is a two-hour expected delay in incoming cargo traffic at Tompa, a one-hour delay also in incoming cargo traffic at Röszke, while there is a one-hour delay in outgoing cargo traffic at Kőszeg and Csanádpalota. In outbound passenger traffic there is a one-hour delay at Kőszeg.

At the press conference of the Operational Group, Spokesperson of the National Police Constabulary Lt. Colonel Kristóf Gál recalled that the final examinations had started at 9.00 a.m. with appropriate precautionary measures in place. At the same time, he wished everyone all the very best with their examinations.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister / MTI)