Hospital commanders will also be installed in larger elderly care homes with more than 200 residents, the National Hospital Commander appointed due to the coronavirus epidemic announced at the Thursday online press conference of the Operational Group.

Zsolt Halmosi said 18 institutions have been designated throughout the country. Eight of these are operated by local governments, five are centrally operated institutions, three are church-operated, while two are privately operated care homes.

He highlighted that the hospital commanders will not assume the operators’ responsibilities; they will only have the authority to make recommendations regarding the observance of the rules related to the epidemic and the protection of health care supplies.

Mr Halmosi indicated that the government decree allowing the installation of hospital commanders also in elderly care homes entered into force on Thursday.

According to the provisions of the decree, in this regard the minister responsible for health care can make recommendations, and the relevant decision will be taken by the Minister of Interior. The commanders of institutions will have the authority to monitor compliance with the disease control regulations and the rules relating to the protection of health care supplies in elderly care homes.

As soon as the Minister of Interior adopts his decision, the institution heads will begin their work, Mr Halmosi said.

(MTI)