So far in Hungary 363 criminal procedures have been instituted in connection with the epidemic, 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 Friday.

Police Lt. Colonel Róbert Kiss said criminal procedures had been instituted in 90 cases due to scaremongering, in 116 cases due to fraud, in 27 cases due to the threat of public endangerment and in 21 cases due to the violation of disease control regulations. So far, the police have questioned 70 suspects in these procedures.

Since 28 March, the police have taken action in 50,343 instances due to violations related to the epidemic and restrictions on movement, he added.

He said ever more persons are using the mobile telephone application for the electronic monitoring of compulsory home quarantine; so far, the application has been downloaded by 641 persons, and the number of active users currently stands at 551.

He said in the past 24 hours 494 compulsory home quarantine orders had been issued, resulting in 10,954 in effect in total. Yesterday, the rules relating to compulsory home quarantine were violated in 43 instances.

In Budapest and Pest County, the police took action in 445 instances against persons violating the restrictions on movement, including 284 cautions, 117 onsite fines and 44 prosecutions. Since 28 March, the police have taken action in 50,343 instances due to such violations.

In the past 24 hours, the police have taken action in the countryside in 19 instances, including 13 cautions, two onsite fines and 4 prosecutions. Since 4 May the police have taken action in 757 instances on such grounds.

He also highlighted that on Friday morning in cargo traffic on the entry side there could be delays of up to three hours at Röszke, delays of up to an hour and a half at Hegyeshalom, and delays of up to an hour at Rajka and Csanádpalota.

On the exit side, there was a four-hour delay at Csanádpalota, a three-hour delay at Röszke and a one-hour delay at Ártánd.

In answer to a question, he said the National Police Constabulary is engaged in ongoing communication with the law enforcement agencies of neighbouring countries regarding the opening of smaller border crossing stations. He recalled that in the past few days several minor border crossing stations had been reopened, including at Jánossomorja and Alsószölnök which were open to passenger traffic. Further border crossing points will be reopened shortly, he added.

In answer to another question, he said according to plans, the Kiskunhalas mobile hospital will operate as a health care institution under the supervision of the Hungarian Prison Service.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)