The number of persons in compulsory home quarantine is now above 15,000; there are people in quarantine in every part of Hungary, most of them in the capital and in Pest County, 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 Tuesday.

Róbert Kiss said, based on stock surveys, on Tuesday individual protective supplies, including surgical and special medical face masks, protective gowns, visors and protective goggles are being delivered to nine hospitals.

He said one quarter of quarantined persons are in Budapest and Pest County.

He highlighted that the government had set aside major resources for the containment of the virus. An initial financial allocation of HUF 663 billion is now in the containment fund, in addition to which a fund has also been set up for grants provided by the European Union for the fight against the virus.

Hospital commanders continue to do their job in the designated 108 hospitals. Based on their stock surveys, on Tuesday individual protective supplies, including surgical and special medical face masks, protective gowns, visors and protective goggles are being delivered to nine hospitals. The logistic company Waberer’s is providing help with logistics, he said.

He also informed members of the public that the police had checked compliance with the rules relating to compulsory home quarantine 122,268 times. There has been a rise in the number of violators: so far they have prosecuted 499 persons, have imposed fines in 389 cases and have cautioned 65 persons.

In connection with the violation of the rules relating to the restricted opening hours of retailers, 67 persons have been prosecuted, onsite fines have been imposed in 32 instances, and 51 persons have been cautioned.

Regarding the Romanian guest workers heading for Western Europe who are now stuck at the Romanian-Hungarian border, he said, as a result of consultations between senior Romanian and Hungarian police officers, Romanian guest workers are allowed to enter the territory of Hungary between 9.00 p.m. and 12.00 a.m., provided that they undergo a medical test and are able to verify beyond reasonable doubt that the country of destination will let them in.

In the context of border traffic, he said there are minor delays in incoming cargo traffic at Röszke.

Mr Kiss reported that the number of crimes committed in connection with the epidemic had risen to 166, including 38 cases of fraud, 11 cases of violation of disease control regulations, 21 cases of threat of public danger, and 44 cases of scaremongering. The police have heard 39 suspects so far. He mentioned that most recently they had apprehended a Budapest couple in their thirties because they offered face masks for sale on the Internet, but only took the purchase price without sending products. Private individuals, physicians and pharmacies have been wronged to the tune of tens of millions of forints.

In response to foreign press reports about police officers being spat at in Western Europe in order for them to become infected, Mr Kiss said nothing of the kind has happened in Hungary; the Hungarian police have a high social prestige. He added that Hungarians require police presence on public premises as this is one way to keep people’s sense of security at an appropriate level.

In answer to a question, he said since the introduction of the restrictions on movement, they have taken action against more than 5,000 persons; 3,587 persons have been cautioned, 701 persons have been given onsite fines, and 843 persons have been prosecuted. Based on the available data, the majority of breaches are being committed in the capital. On Monday alone in Budapest 273 persons were cautioned, 11 persons were given onsite fines, and 21 persons were prosecuted.

In answer to a question regarding the possibility of alerting the police to fake news, Mr Kiss said there is a form for this on the website of the police, but such news can also be reported at the 112 emergency number and in e-mail. He asked those who send in reports by e-mail to also copy the link of the fake news item into the message.

He confirmed in answer to a question that the Hungarian police have adequate human resources for the fulfilment of the containment responsibilities and general policing responsibilities.

He recalled that 58 hotels had been designated for the accommodation of health care workers involved in the containment effort. He thanked many hotels for having offered their services on a voluntary basis.

In answer to a question, he said while the government has made parking free, this does not mean that people are allowed to park in no-parking areas – this is a traffic violation which continues to remain punishable.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)