Due to the ongoing fight against the coronavirus epidemic, the celebrations planned for 20 August, including the fireworks display and the air display have been cancelled. The officer inauguration ceremony will be the only exception, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office announced.

Justifying the decision, Gergely Gulyás said mass events of this nature carry the greatest risk of the spread of infection.

The Minister added that, if possible, these celebrations will be held at a later date; however, this year they will be cancelled in their entirety.

He also highlighted that there could be very different infection rates in the various regions of bigger as well as smaller countries. Therefore, the government decided that specific regions or provinces within a country could be classified differently from the country itself.

In Hungary, the number of active infections is continuously decreasing, we are one of the safest and best-protected countries in the region, he stressed. In neighbouring countries where the number of infections had risen earlier – with the exception of Serbia and Ukraine – we have observed favourable trends, and so at present there is no reason for the introduction of further tighter measures, he said.

However, it is essential to observe the rules, and the rule regarding the compulsory wearing of face masks in shops and on public transport remains in force, while those working in the catering industry are likewise required to wear face masks, he pointed out.

Events involving music and dancing organised for an audience of more than five hundred persons cannot be held, he highlighted. For understandable reasons, musicians would like to see the lifting of restrictions; however, the government is not planning to change this rule before 15 August, he said. At the end of July, a decision could be reached about whether there should be changes or not, but at this time, there are more arguments for banning the organisation of such events also beyond 15 August than against it, he said, adding that the cabinet is ready to provide grants – based on European models – for actors of the Hungarian music industry. However, it is difficult to create a good, transparent and fair grant system, he underlined.

In answer to a question, Mr Gulyás said the Chief Medical Officer and the Operational Group took the view that it is not wise to take risks by changing the disease control regulations, thanks to which the number of infections is decreasing continuously. The Minister expressed regret over the cancellation of the 20 August celebrations; he indicated at the same time that the equipment already procured could be used next year.

He highlighted that from the viewpoint of alcohol consumption, there is a big difference between football matches and music and dance events as in the case of the latter, appropriate distancing cannot be guaranteed as safely as in stadiums.

In answer to another question, the Minister said the tests necessary for being released from quarantine can be obtained both via general practitioners and via private means.

He said in answer to a question relating to the classification of countries that first the Chief Medical Officer makes a recommendation to the Operational Group which in turns presents its recommendation to the government. By classifying countries into three categories, they sought to ensure that entry should not be ruled out as a matter of course, while in the interest of safety, they tightened the applicable conditions, he pointed out.

According to the Minister, while the full closure of the borders would pose the least possible risk, this would not be a fair solution, in particular in light of the fact that many Hungarians live abroad. He said those who are able to verify that they have had coronavirus infection are exempted from the relevant travel restrictions.

In the context of ventilators, he said they were often procured amidst very difficult circumstances, and in a worst-case scenario, Hungary could need eight to ten thousand machines.

In answer to another question, he said that, in actual fact, in the Gyöngyöspata school case everyone stands to lose, even those who have been awarded a few million forints due to “alleged segregation”. They should have been compensated in the form of education if they sustained any disadvantage during education, he underlined.

It is unacceptable that after decades compensation in the magnitude of a few million forints is paid to families which did not in any way work for that money, he pointed out.

The Minister said earlier the government majority made possible the imposition of sanctions also on Members of Parliament in the event of hate speech, and therefore the current House Rules allow the House to take stringent action against Jobbik Member of Parliament Tibor Nunkovics who is accused of anti-Semitic behaviour by Fidesz MEP Tamás Deutsch.

In connection with MSZP’s fake paramedic video, Mr Gulyás said it would be good if the Left did not want to draw attention to itself every four to five years by slandering the government in fake videos.

The EU recovery package cannot be tied to conditions; the governments of Member States know best what measures are required, Mr Gulyás, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office stated at the ‘Governmentinfo’ press conference held on Thursday in Budapest.

The Minister highlighted that the Hungarian government’s position is clear. As this is not about a budget that is comprised of the contributions of Member States, but about a loan taken out collectively, no one can tie conditions to it in advance, he explained.

He stressed it is important that these funds should only be allowed to be used for restarting the economy, creating jobs and boosting growth, and national governments are best-equipped to decide which measures would work best. Member States assume an obligation collectively, and so they have the right to use their respective allocations the way they see fit, he said stating his view.

Mr Gulyás observed that the positions of Member States are widely different, and so there is no guarantee that the EU summit to be held this weekend will be successful.

In answer to a question, he also said the Prime Minister will attend the talks regarding the EU recovery credit package with a fixed mandate, and so he may only depart from it with Parliament’s approval. He added that the credit package could be ratified by Parliament in the summer, or in September, at the latest.

Regarding the refurbishment of metro line 3, Mr Gulyás said the government continues to uphold its pledge of HUF 80 billion in connection with this project which falls within metropolitan competence.

He observed that the metropolitan municipality holds funds worth HUF 180 billion in the state treasury which is, in practical terms, former Mayor of Budapest István Tarlós’s “tangible political legacy”. This sum is enough for the refurbishment of the Chain Bridge six to seven times over, he added. Regarding the case of the Chain Bridge, he also said they are trying to be patient, but they have been waiting for the institution of the public procurement procedure for 7 months. At the same time, “one can also root for the underdog,” he said.

The Minister highlighted that they expect the more coordinated, faster and improved operation of railway and bus services from the Hungarian railway company MÁV taking over the national bus company Volán. It was a frequent and legitimate criticism that Volánbusz and MÁV did not pay attention to one another’s operations either during the development of their timetables, or from the respect of coordinated services, he pointed out. At the same time, it would be desirable to achieve some improvement in that in most cities the bus terminals and railway stations are not in the same location, he added.

The Minister was asked which professional organisations the government is consulting on the issue of brownfield sites, and based on what criteria they select them. He said they would like to identify brownfield sites for development in the autumn. He himself is open to consultations; however, consulting with local governments is key.

Regarding another topic, he said Hungary has not received a penny of EU grants for the Southern border fence or border protection equipment; at the same time, they can use twenty million euros for supplementing the pay of the personnel in charge of the physical protection of the Schengen border section.

Earlier, the EU presented plans, envisaging that all Member States would be required to take in migrants arriving in Europe as part of a distribution mechanism. So far, this proposal has not been adopted, and the Hungarian government hopes that it will never be adopted, he pointed out.

In answer to a question relating to MEP Klára Dobrev’s Tuesday contribution in Parliament, he said if someone looks upon the enforcement of national interests in the EU as blackmail, they see the enforcement of national interests as an unpardonable sin. It also forms part of a country’s sovereignty that Hungarian national affairs are debated by parties, and electors decide on them. However, there are some who always believe that they should seek help with this from abroad, for instance, through the support of the Soros network, he explained. He added that all activities which seek to influence decision-making and to restrict sovereignty with money received from abroad raise concerns of national security.

He stated in answer to another question that they expect to start a traditional, normal school year.

In answer to a question about the conversion of the Church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul into a mosque, he said the government did not discuss this issue, but he personally finds this decision regrettable. As this is an issue concerning Turkey’s sovereignty, others can only have an opinion on the matter, he said.

(Prime Minister’s Office/MTI)