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Prime Minister Orbán announced this evening that Hungary has reached the second phase of its defense against the coronavirus. With this next stage, we can slowly restart our lives and relaunch the economy.

“Thanks to our joint effort, Hungary is ready to handle even large-scale disease,” said the prime minister in a video posted to his Facebook page. “Today, no one has to worry any longer about being left without adequate care.”

Hungary’s fight against the virus has entered a new phase, he said. This means that life can restart in Hungary, but “we must act gradually and according to a strict timetable.” It also means that a high level of protection must be maintained for the elderly and people living in the most infected areas of the country, that is, Budapest and its surroundings.

For the protection of these people “movement restrictions in Budapest and its surroundings will stay in force,” the PM said, adding that “new protective measures will replace movement restrictions in the countryside.”

Providing some details on future steps, the prime minister said that “shops can reopen without time limitations, terraces and gardens of restaurants and cafes can reopen, and people can visit outdoor beaches. However, practicing social distancing and wearing masks will remain compulsory in shops and on public transportation.”

Orbán also informed citizens that measures allowing for the elderly to shop during their own given hours (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.) will also remain in force.

The government is consulting regularly with epidemiologists and will revisit all protection measures every two weeks, the prime minister said, adding that the government will provide further details tomorrow.

Source: About Hungary