The individual protective supplies received from China have been delivered to eighty-two designated hospitals, 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.

Police Lt. Colonel Róbert Kiss said the Operational Group was assisted by the logistics company Waberer’s. Deliveries are ongoing also on Tuesday.

The individual protective supplies will be distributed primarily among health care workers, he said, stressing that, based on the reports of hospital commanders, the Operational Group concluded that all individual protective supplies are comprehensively at the disposal of health care workers and patients.

Mr Kiss also said 103 persons have been prosecuted in connection with crimes related to the epidemic. Charges have been pressed against 26 persons due to scaremongering, against 19 persons due to threats to cause public danger, against 22 persons due to fraud, and against another nine due to disease control violations. In the first three days of the restrictions on movement, police action was taken in 943 instances; most of them, 822 cases, ended in cautions.

He added that so far 9,448 compulsory home quarantine orders had been issued, and the police had checked compliance 63,000 times.

In answer to a question, the Lt. Colonel said bringing home Hungarian nationals stuck abroad is a primary mission. He recalled that Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced that so far they had managed to bring home 5,500 Hungarians, and another 257 Hungarian and 18 Slovak nationals would return from the United States and Canada in the next few days. On Monday, Hungarians returned from Tyrol on four coaches and in 150 passenger vehicles, after having completed two weeks’ home quarantine in Tyrol. They are symptom-free, their tests are negative, meaning that they have not been ordered to retire to compulsory home quarantine in Hungary.

In response to reports that at the entrances of some hypermarkets security guards request customers to present identification, Mr Kiss said the purpose of the restrictions on movement is to thereby help to slow down the epidemic. He added that the operators of stores are required to monitor compliance with the rules of conduct related to the restrictions on movement. In these efforts, he asked for customers’ cooperation.

In answer to a question about the presence of the police on public premises, he said due to the responsibilities related to monitoring compliance with compulsory home quarantine orders and the restrictions on movement, they are able to direct more police officers to public areas. As a result, they are better equipped to observe and react to instances of vandalism or breaches of the peace.

He highlighted in answer to a question that also to date county containment committees have played a key role in the containment effort, in the preparation of the Operational Group’s decisions, the coordination of efforts, and the assessment of supplies in cooperation with hospital commanders. At the same time, he thanked them for their valuable service.

In answer to the question as to whether mayors are informed of patients registered and quarantine orders issued in their settlements, he said during the period of the special legal order, the law requires the Operational Group to provide information. He advised everyone who would like reliable information to follow the Operational Group’s press conferences and visit the koronavirus.gov.hu website.

Regarding the infections detected in an elderly care home in Nagymágocs, he said the necessary measures have been taken to quarantine the institution; however, he is unable to provide information on the condition of the patients as this is personal information.

The Lt. Colonel said in answer to the question as to whether municipalities have asked for assistance with care for the elderly or the enforcement of the decrees that local governments have important responsibilities in the containment effort and it is their duty to assist the elderly and sick residents.

Reporting about delays at the borders, Mr. Kiss said there are minor delays in incoming cargo traffic at Rajka, Röszke, Csanádpalota and Ártánd. At Csanádpalota there are minor delays in outgoing cargo traffic and passenger traffic as well.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)