The government will discuss the extension of border controls on Hungary’s entire internal Schengen border section on Wednesday, 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 Tuesday.

Lt. Colonel Róbert Kiss recalled that on 1 September the government temporarily reinstated border controls and border protection on Hungary’s entire internal Schengen border section. There are 127 border crossing stations or border crossing points on this section, including ten where there are border controls in both passenger and cargo traffic. Five of these crossing points – Tornyaszentmiklós, Hegyeshalom, Rajka, Parassapuszta and Tornyosnémeti – can be used in international transit traffic.

Thirty-one border crossing points are available exclusively for passenger traffic entry; additionally, the police are also patrolling and physically checking the closure of another 86 minor agricultural dirt roads, forest paths and tourist paths.

He said in international traffic if the driver does not display the symptoms of coronavirus infection during health screening upon entry, he or she may enter the country. He drew attention to the fact that passengers and drivers are not allowed to leave the designated transit routes, and may only stop at designated border crossing stations, filling stations and motorway rest areas. The country’s territory must be exited within 24 hours.

Mr Kiss said on Monday 2,633 cargo vehicles were allowed to enter the country for transit purposes, while another 2,510 vehicles arrived in international cargo traffic with Hungary as their destination. Since 1 September, 72,121 cargo vehicles have entered the territory of Hungary on the internal Schengen border section for transit purposes.

The Lt. Colonel highlighted that earlier Slovenia required those arriving from countries regarded as high-risk to retire to quarantine for ten days. From Tuesday, quarantine is waived upon the presentation of two negative PCR test results, provided that the tests were performed in Schengen Member States.

Mr Kiss stressed that those travelling abroad are asked to check every time whether their entry into the country of destination is guaranteed.

Regarding the border situation, he said in incoming cargo traffic there is a three-hour wait at Csanádpalota, Röszke and Tompa, while in passenger traffic those entering at Beregsurány should expect a two-hour wait.

In answer to a question, the Lt. Colonel said according to the government decree on the protective measures of the state of disease control preparedness, if a merchant notices that a customer in a shop is not wearing a face mask or is not wearing the face mask correctly, he or she is required to call upon the customer to put on a face mask or to wear it correctly, and if necessary, he or she must take action to ensure that the person violating this protective measure leave the shop. If the customer is not prepared to leave the premises or to wear a face mask as required by law despite a warning, the merchant may initiate police action.

Also during the state of disease control preparedness, the police fully prepared for the fulfilment of the increased disease containment responsibilities, and have sufficient staff to guarantee the performance of these duties. There was no need to assign separate units as all police officers are implementing these protective measures in addition to their existing duties, he added.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)