Also in the second phase of the fight against the coronavirus epidemic, maintaining a state of disease control preparedness is justified, 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 Thursday.

Police Lt. Colonel Róbert Kiss stressed that Hungary had fought successfully and effectively in the first phase of the fight against the coronavirus epidemic. On 16 June, Parliament could vote for the lifting of the state of danger, the transitional rules relating to its cessation and the bill on a state of preparedness in health care.

He added that also in the second phase of the fight against the coronavirus epidemic, it is justified to maintain a state of disease control preparedness; therefore, the Operational Group will continue to perform its responsibilities and the overseeing of hospitals will be adjusted to the status of the epidemic.

He said the special legal order is expected to end on 20 June; with the end of the state of danger, cinemas, theatres, museums and baths could reopen. At the same time, pursuant to the government’s decision, the restrictions relating to the shopping hours reserved for the elderly will remain in effect.

Mr Kiss informed members of the public and the press that on Thursday and Friday individual protective equipment will be delivered to 56 hospitals, including visors, surgical face masks and protective gowns; hospital commanders will take delivery of the supplies received.

He drew attention to the fact that in Austria border controls with neighbouring countries had been lifted; at the same time, the government decree is still in force which lays down that a Hungarian national entering Hungary from Austria in passenger traffic is not required to retire to compulsory home quarantine if they have a negative coronavirus test certificate issued not more than four days previously.

From among those in compulsory home quarantine, 2,115 persons have agreed to the electronic monitoring of compliance with the rules of quarantine restrictions. At present, the application has 860 active users. On Wednesday, the authorities issued 625 compulsory home quarantine orders; as a result, the number of such restrictive orders in effect at present stands at 10,985 in total.

The number of crimes related to the epidemic has risen to 419, including 120 due to scaremongering, 29 due to the threat of public endangerment, 128 due to fraud and 22 due to the violation of disease control regulations. So far the police have questioned 80 suspects in these cases.

Regarding border traffic, he said in cargo traffic on the entry side there are two-hour delays at Tompa, Röszke, Ártánd and Csengersima and a one-hour delay at Csanádpalota, while on the exit side there is a two-hour wait at Röszke and a one-hour wait at Csanádpalota.

In passenger traffic on the entry side there are two-hour delays at Csengersima and Röszke, while on the exit side there are one-hour delays at Röszke and Nagylak.

In answer to the question about what advice the authorities can give Hungarians who would like to spend their summer holidays abroad, he said they are engaged in ongoing consultations with the law enforcement agencies of neighbouring countries with respect to the suspension or lifting of the restrictive measures currently in effect. He recalled that it is thanks to these consultations that Hungarian nationals entering Hungary from the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Slovenia are not automatically required to retire to compulsory home quarantine. They are continuously monitoring the latest epidemic data and the impacts of the measures introduced, and will make recommendations in light of their conclusions, he said.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister / MTI)