The government is helping the metropolitan municipality with protective supplies, the head of the duty centre of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic said at an online press conference held on Friday.

Tibor Lakatos said, based on the Operational Group’s recommendation, the consignments received so far are sufficient in order for the government to provide protective supplies for institutions other than health care institutions. On Friday, they delivered one thousand protective gowns, 20,000 surgical face masks, 10,000 examination gloves, 50 thermometers and 500 rapid tests to the metropolitan mayor’s office.

He also said municipalities have the authority to tighten regulations related to restrictions on movement for the Easter period. The purpose of these regulations is to prevent some areas from becoming meeting points where the spread of the virus could accelerate, or to prevent settlements where so far there have been no infections or only in minimal numbers from “becoming infected”.

Mr Lakatos said the most important change is that the new government decree on the extension of the restrictions on movement that has now been released will remain in effect indefinitely. The government will assess the conditions of further extensions weekly, based on the Operational Group’s reports, he added.

Another important element of the government decree is that the local governments of settlements – while in the capital, district local governments – have the authority to determine rules related to the opening hours of markets. At the same time, they must provide a time slot for those over 65 when only these persons are allowed to shop.

The government decree also lays down that mayors and local governments should publish these rules not only in the manner that is locally customary, but in a way which ensures that all people should be able to familiarise themselves with them.

He warned that the restrictive measures had continued to remain in effect, and people were only allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons.

Regarding those violating the rules relating to restrictions on movement, he said in the past 24 hours the police have taken action in 1,255 instances; they have cautioned 665 persons, due to the fact, in his words, that the police continue to rely primarily on people’s cooperation.

In answer to a question regarding police checks during the holidays, he said the same as before, they will continuously monitor compliance with the restrictions. He observed that also during the Easter weekend the police will conduct extra checks in order to filter out instances of drink driving; however, this time, monitoring compliance with the restrictions on movement will be the main goal. He added, in some instances, members of the public could be required by police officers to answer the question as to why they left their home. If they did so for a non-essential reason, they could expect to be cautioned, fined or prosecuted.

In answer to a question, he confirmed that pursuant to the government decree in effect from Friday, tobacco shops, too, will be required to close at 3.00 p.m. This change was necessary because experiences showed that tobacco shops had become gathering points.

In answer to another question, he confirmed that there was no infected prisoner in penal institutions in Hungary.

As it is laid down in the government decree, the police and members of the military will enforce compliance with any tightened regulations adopted by mayors, he said in answer to a further question.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)