At a press conference held today, Tibor Lakatos, head of the duty centre of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus infection said many people are violating the rules of compulsory home quarantine. At present, there are 3,506 persons in home quarantine, and breaches have been established in 69 cases.

Additionally, the authorities cautioned, prosecuted and imposed onsite fines on a number of commercial establishments due to the violation of the restrictions on opening hours. 58 persons have been prosecuted due to the violation of quarantine regulations.

The restrictive measures which the government introduced in order to slow down the spread of the virus are still in force.

Many people fail to observe the measures adopted due to the spread of the coronavirus, while many others are trying to profiteer from the situation. He mentioned as an example a woman in Somogy County who – posing as an official of the public health authority – tried to defraud several million forints from a local business in exchange for a vaccine and disinfection. She threatened to close down the business if she did not receive the stated sum. She was taken into custody by the police, and will be prosecuted. So far 47 procedures have been instituted: 12 due to public endangerment, 8 due to fraud and 7 due to the violation of disease control regulations. 22 persons have been heard as suspects in relation to the coronavirus epidemic. In connection with the restriction of opening hours, 3 persons have been cautioned, 7 persons have been given fines, and 9 persons have been prosecuted due to breach of the law.

On Saturday, a consignment of raw materials necessary for surgical face masks is arriving in the country, while penal institutions started the procurement of raw materials that are necessary for the production of higher-grade protective supplies.

There are no major disruptions in the cargo traffic entering in Hungary; however, drivers can expect to have to wait for 120 minutes at Rajka and 150 minutes at Hegyeshalom. At Csanádpalota, due to the controls introduced by the Romanian authorities, a 35-kilometre-long line of cars has accumulated; here water bottles are being distributed among the people in line. At Liszt Ferenc Airport there are 42 passengers waiting; some of them are transit passengers, while others are awaiting individual clearance to enter the territory of the country. Budapest Airport Zrt. and the police have provided beds, food, water and blankets for them, in addition to computers so that they can initiate the necessary procedures. Should the need arise, they will also be able to supply them with face masks.

He said the metropolitan and county containment committees had started their operation; they will help health care institutions with the organisation of care and will take part in providing care for persons in quarantine.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)