There are still no coronavirus patients in Hungary, there is no sample that would confirm any case of infection, Gergely Gulyás said at his press conference held on Thursday in Budapest.

The Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office highlighted that seven samples had been received during the night, but for the time being there are no positive test results.

He said 1,200,000 face masks are available also at present, they are continuously transporting these to pharmacies, and 25,000 masks are being made every day. There is no shortage of face masks at present, but as many people have purchased face masks in the past few days, a situation might arise where some pharmacies and other outlets run out of stocks. However, the Operational corps is making every effort to supply pharmacies with face masks within the shortest possible time, he stated.

He observed that face masks do not provide protection against infection, but help to prevent infected persons from infecting others. They are making available all stocks that are necessary for prevention, he said. At the same time, he added that there is no need for general practitioners to wear protective clothing or overalls.

Mr Gulyás highlighted that the Szent László Hospital has been appointed to observe and treat persons coming back from infected areas; at present, 18 persons are in quarantine. All of them are symptom-free, and if they stay that way they can be released after two weeks, he added.

He said if anyone is suspected of having been infected, they are taken to quarantine specifically created for the purpose on the premises of the Szent László Hospital. If necessary, they will also open other hospitals for the purpose in Budapest or in the countryside.

He stressed that the Operational Corps is operating around the clock, is holding a press conference also today, and Interior Minister Sándor Pintér will receive representatives of the six parliamentary parties. At the same time, the National Centre for Public Health is also working continuously, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing information and, if necessary, assistance through its consular services. They are in contact with the infected Hungarian on board a Japanese ship; his second test has no result yet, he said.

He informed members of the press that in the territory of China 174 Hungarian nationals have registered for consular protection, and there are 20 Hungarians in the five most infected provinces. It is almost impossible to assess the number of Hungarians presently in Italy; however, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade asked them, too, to register.

In answer to a question related to the measure that was adopted in the case of the Eger swimming complex, the Minister said in the present situation, in the phase of prevention, we must not allow political debates to take over. He asked local governments to consult with the Operational Corps regarding the measures they are planning to implement.

He also said that at this point in time it is impossible to make responsible statements about the organisation or cancellation of planned major events in Hungary; it is impossible to see whether the spread of the virus will stop, and whether we will be able to make and authorise a successful vaccine for use. Travels within Europe during the period before Easter will remain at the centre of attention if the spread of the virus does not stop or a vaccine is not created until then, he added.

According to Mr Gulyás, it is impossible to tell what impact the epidemic will have on the whole of the global economy, but at this point in time one cannot say that this is a disease threatening the very foundations of the European economy.

In answer to a question, the Minister spoke about several medical cases in Hungary. For instance, several persons were transported in protective clothing from the Veszprém Hospital to the Ajka infectious diseases department. One of them, who had previously been to the United States and later to Ulm, complained about headaches and a sore throat, while the other one, who had come back from China, had a fever and a sore throat. In addition to them, a third person was also taken to Ajka.

In Pécs there were rumours about an infected medical student, but these proved to be unfounded, while a woman who had been to the carnival in Venice also checked in to the hospital, and while she is not likely to be infected, her sample is being evaluated, he said.

A woman who presented herself at the Esztergom Hospital – though based on primary symptoms, there appeared to be no direct threat of coronavirus infection – was transferred to the infectious diseases ward in Balassagyarmat, Mr Gulyás informed the press.

In the case of the Debrecen students who had also just come back from the Venice carnival, there was no risk of infection.

The Minister said it is unfortunate that opposition parties are using the coronavirus for political gain. It is not for DK to tell whether 10 million Hungarians should be given protective clothing, he said, stressing that at this point in time, according to medical opinion, there is no need for this.

He promised to give general practitioners everything that is medically necessary and justified for preventive purposes.

In answer to a question regarding a possible shortage of foodstuffs, he said they are aware of the news reports, but today there is no reason for such reactions; this is all the result of “extreme scaremongering”.

If due to the coronavirus the tourism sector sustains losses on a scale which requires the state’s assistance, they will negotiate with industry representatives, he said.

At the press conference, Government Spokesperson Alexandra Szentkirályi informed members of the press about the appeal released regarding the fact that while at this point they are still unaware of coronavirus patients in Hungary, the appearance of the virus cannot be ruled out. She asked Hungarian citizens not to travel to infected areas, and if they do so to register with the consular services. Anyone returning from such areas should, as far as possible, abstain from attending public places, and if they detect symptoms, they should stay at home and call their general practitioner or the available toll-free numbers.

Children who have recently been to North Italy should be kept off school for two weeks, and university students and workers who have recently been to North Italy should likewise stay at home, she appealed to the public on behalf of the government.

The government is making thirty billion forints available to the Ministry of Interior to put an end to overcrowding – occupancy rates above 100 per cent – in prisons before the end of this year, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office stated.

Even temporary penal institutions can be set up from the funds, Mr Gulyás said, adding that the concept of mobile prison is known outside Hungary as well. He said it is partly with these that they must resolve the situation of reducing the current 115 per cent occupancy rate. He observed that in 2013 this figure stood at 143 per cent.

At the same time, the Minister was pleased to announce that this week Parliament has passed the law which temporarily suspends the payment of damages to convicts. It has become clear that an entire industry has been built on this ‘business’ which we must put an end to, he added.

He recalled that the passed legislation lays down that the Ministry of Justice must present a proposal that if any damages are to be paid nonetheless, they should be paid to victims.

Mr Gulyás also said that, in addition to the funding provided to date, the government will urgently make available an extra HUF 462 million to the Hungarian Olympic Committee for the preparations for the summer Olympics to be held in Tokyo.

He highlighted that at its most recent meeting, the government had heard President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee Krisztián Kulcsár, and they concluded – with reference to the coronavirus – that the Olympic Games will be held.

Mr Kulcsár informed the cabinet that he sees 13 medals as a realistic expectation in Tokyo.

The Minister was asked several questions about Budapest, in the context of which he stated that it is Mayor of Budapest Gergely Karácsony’s responsibility to keep his promise about the air-conditioning of the carriages on metro line 3.

He recalled that Fidesz’s municipal group presented a proposal regarding this issue, but it was voted down by the majority of the Metropolitan General Assembly. At the same time, if the Mayor of Budapest promised to install air-conditioning in carriages on metro line 3 in his election campaign, the least he can do is deliver on that promise, he said.

Regarding the issue of the Szabad Tér Theatre, Mr Gulyás said whatever solution is acceptable for Teodóra Bán is acceptable for them, too. There was a professional committee proposal which was unanimous, and no one even in the opposition called into question the expertise and impartiality of the artist members of the committee, he said. He added that the Mayor of Budapest must therefore answer the question of why he is disregarding this unanimous opinion.

“We have a vested interest in finding a solution, we were close to reaching an agreement with the capital,” he said, adding that instead of the latest decision, abolishing the committee altogether – given that its opinion is not required – would have been a more sincere response.

Regarding the biodome in the zoo, Mr Gulyás said this is a metropolitan project whose bill the government footed one hundred per cent, and was even prepared to pay for the rise in costs. As for the further rise in the project’s costs, he said in the central budget there are no readily available funds in the magnitude of HUF 15 to 20 billion; the metropolitan municipality, too, must play a part.

He said in response to the ban on alteration imposed in connection with the Liget Project that the very minimum the Mayor of Budapest would have been expected to do was to bring this issue before the council of public developments. At the same time, this ban does not affect any already valid and effective planning permission.

The head of the Prime Minister’s Office said it seems that nationally, but in particular in Budapest Ferenc Gyurcsány is the leader of the opposition.

In the context of the National Curriculum, he said protests cannot be described as overwhelming, and it is to be hoped that they will succeed in convincing even this minority.

Regarding the pay rise of teachers, he highlighted that talking about where decisions are made about pay rises is a pseudo-debate; what matters is that there will be pay rises which are also justified.

In answer to another question, the Minister said the draft of next year’s budget will have to be presented to Parliament by 5 May.

Concerning the government’s pledge to eliminate illegal waste disposal sites, he underlined that the goal was to fully accomplish this undertaking in two years; if necessary, they will also set up “a waste authority”.

Regarding the European Union – after Speaker of the House László Kövér said in an interview that there is a global struggle under way and this could lead to the end of the EU – Mr Gulyás pointed out that in coming years we could witness major changes in the EU as today the EU is more divided than at any time since the end of the Cold War. Ideological Iron Curtains have come into being, and there is a serious rupture between Europe’s two halves. We have a vested interest in fully functional European cooperation, however. There will evidently be cooperation of some kind as on their own the states of Europe are too small to participate in global economic competition, and therefore, in this respect, there is no alternative to cooperation. The question is, however, what kind of an EU there will be in the years ahead, he said.

(Cabinet Office Of The Prime Minister)