At an online press conference held on Wednesday, a staff member of the duty centre of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus epidemic asked everyone to observe the protective measures currently in place.

Police Lt. Colonel Róbert Kiss said from Monday the restrictions on movement have been lifted in the entire territory of Hungary, “nonetheless, we are asking everyone to observe the protective measures and the safe distance determined in the relevant legal acts”.

He indicated that the police are continuing to check compliance with the protective measures in public areas and in places open to members of the public.

On Tuesday, the police were required to take action in six instances against persons violating the rules, including four cautions, one onsite fine and one prosecution. So far, the police have taken action in 890 instances in connection with the violation of the protective measures in place.

He also said 1,062 persons have registered for the mobile phone application serving the electronic monitoring of compulsory home quarantine. As a result, at present, the number of active users stands at 784. On Tuesday, 585 compulsory home quarantine orders were issued, with 10,932 in effect in total at present.

He highlighted that the number of criminal procedures instituted in connection with the epidemic has risen to 381, including 102 due to scaremongering, 27 due to the threat of public endangerment, 119 due to fraud and 21 due to the violation of disease control regulations. The police have questioned 70 suspects so far.

In answer to a question, Mr Kiss said the government is in ongoing communication with neighbouring countries and the law enforcement agencies of neighbouring countries via the border controls task force so that at Hungary’s border crossing stations we may return to “normal” border controls in a scheduled fashion.

He said the Operational Group’s duty centre is continuously monitoring tasks and data related to the epidemic, and are analysing the possibility of lifting the restrictions still in effect.

He added that if they conclude that the suspension or lifting of restrictions is justified, they will make a recommendation, including in the case of the changing of the rules related to the compulsory home quarantine imposed on persons entering the country and the implementation of changes in border controls.

Regarding border traffic, he said in incoming cargo traffic there are three-hour delays at Tompa and Röszke and a two-hour delay at Ártánd, while outbound cargo vehicles could expect delays of up to one hour at Röszke, three hours at Csanádpalota and two hours at Ártánd. In passenger traffic on the entry side there is a three-hour delay at Nagylak and a two-hour delay at Ártánd, while in outbound passenger traffic there is a four-hour wait at Nagylak.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)