The restrictions on movement taking effect from Saturday will serve to protect the entire population, the Chief Medical Officer said at the Friday online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus infection.

Cecília Müller highlighted that the measures mostly served to protect vulnerable groups, including the elderly and to curb the spread of the virus, but they equally served to protect the entire population.

The new measures now announced and those adopted earlier serve to maintain continuity until Parliament adopts a further decision. They continue to rely on the police for the enforcement of the measures, she said.

In answer to a question, she said the restrictions on movement are not restrictions for the sake of restriction. The underlying concept is not to restrict people, but to prevent them from engaging in social interactions.

As to whether the curfew restrictions can be extended, Ms. Müller said any measure that prevents the spread of the epidemic and reduces the number of incidences can be extended. The period extending to the next two weeks is foreseeable, and has been adjusted to the current disease control situation. She indicated, however, that further measures could be implemented if necessitated by the disease control situation.

Regarding the elderly, she highlighted that the goal continues to remain to keep the elderly at home, and to ensure that they avail themselves of the assistance provided by family members or local governments. They should only leave their homes for essential reasons. Concerning the early closing of food stores in the countryside, she said wherever possible family members and younger persons should go to these shops before 9.00 a.m. as stated in the decree.

Ms. Müller identified the laboratories which, in addition to the National Centre for Public Health, are authorised to test coronavirus samples. These were designated well in advance, she added. Consequently, in addition to the laboratory of the National Centre for Public Health, the South Pest Central Hospital (Szent László Hospital), the four university hospitals in Budapest, Pécs, Debrecen and Szeged, and a laboratory in Győr have been appointed.

The expert said these measures are intended to flatten the curve of the epidemic, and to prevent a situation similar to that we are observing in Italy. The Chief Medical Officer highlighted that the present situation was a major challenge for everyone. However, the successful management of the whole epidemic stands or falls on whether everyone observes the instructions of the authorities as one.

In answer to a question, she said emergency health care interventions are being carried out as normal. All operations and interventions, in the absence of which there could be a deterioration in the patient’s state of health or quality of life must be carried out. These interventions cannot be delayed, she stated.

The expert highlighted that children found it hard to cope with being indoors over extended periods. It is important that they should be taken outdoors and should exercise. Children can be taken out into the street, but parents should prevent group gatherings and meetings with persons not living in the same household. In this context, she mentioned that pets can also be taken out, but not as part of social gatherings.

At present, there are 300 confirmed coronavirus patients in Hungary. Thirty-four persons have recovered, while ten persons have died of the disease. Ms. Müller said it is welcome news that in the past 24 hours there has been no fatality in connection with coronavirus infection.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)