The police are prepared for the policing responsibilities related to the restrictions on movement taking effect from zero hundred hours on Saturday and extending to 11 April, a staff member of the duty centre of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus infection said at an online press conference held on Friday.

Lt. Colonel Róbert Kiss said on public premises the police will urge members of the public to observe the restrictions on movement “with reassuring, helpful, empathetic and loyal measures”.

The Lt. Colonel pointed out that also beyond the end of the special legal order imposed recently the police would carry out the responsibilities that it had done so far, including the monitoring of compliance with compulsory home quarantine orders. He said 5,032 persons had been subjected to compulsory home quarantine, and compliance had been checked more than 39,000 times.

The latest data shows that members of the Hungarian public understood the Operational Group’s request that those placed under compulsory home quarantine should observe the applicable rules, he said. While thanking members of the public for their compliant conduct, he observed that police action had been required against violators, as part of which they had pressed charges in 163 cases and had imposed onsite fines in 32 instances.

He also said after the end of the special legal order, the checking of compliance with the restrictions on the opening hours of shops would change. They have pressed charges against the owners of 44 commercial outlets and have imposed fines on 25 persons.

The police continue to perform responsibilities related to border traffic and border controls. Longer delays should be expected in passenger traffic at Rajka and in cargo traffic at the Rajka and Parassapuszta border crossing points. In exit traffic, there are longer delays only in cargo traffic at Csanádpalota, Nagylak, Ártánd and Röszke.

In answer to a question, Mr Kiss said the Operational Group meets every day, analyses, evaluates and monitors possibilities. He said there is no identified part of the world from which protective supplies could not be procured; however, so far they have only be able to procure supplies from the Eastern region where they are exploring further opportunities.

Mr Kiss pointed out, answering a question about supplies of medical oxygen, that in order to guarantee a continuous supply, the Operational Group has taken action to direct defence control divisions to companies which could be of assistance to the Hungarian population with supplies of medical oxygen.

In answer to another question, he said there is no need for employers to issue any certificates for the duration of the restrictions on movement as the government decree itself guarantees the possibility of going to work.

He also highlighted that local governments had the possibility of involving neighbourhood watch organisations in the supply of the elderly with basic foodstuffs which was the duty of local governments. At the same time, if they ask for the assistance of neighbourhood watch organisations, the Operational Group welcomes and supports such initiatives.

Mr Kiss said the operation of the Operational Group is not tied to the term of the special legal order. He pointed out that the Operational Group had held meetings also before the state of danger had been declared, and had adopted the necessary measures in the interest of protecting the population. They will continue to do so in the future as well.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)