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Border controls and maintaining ongoing transportation of goods are among top priorities
On the entry side of the Austrian-Hungarian border, a 23-kilometre-long line of vehicles developed, while at Rajka – from the direction of Slovakia – there was a 20-kilometre-long line of vehicles, the head of the duty centre of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus infection said.
Tibor Lakatos pointed out that border controls and maintaining the ongoing transportation of goods are among the top priorities.
He recalled that on Friday, due to measures implemented by the Romanian authorities, passengers heading for Romania had been required to endure long waiting times upon exiting Hungary. He observed that politicians and senior police personnel are consulting with the agencies of neighbouring countries every day in order to be able to maintain the operation of humanitarian corridors.
He stressed that if neighbouring countries do not agree to admit their own citizens and goods traffic, Hungary is likewise unable to allow these vehicles to pass through its territory.
In response to reports that goods delivery vehicles were required to wait longer, he highlighted that so far there had been no border checks at the Schengen borders. However, due to the epidemic, border controls have been reinstated. The border control authorities are required to check both the vehicles intending to enter and their drivers and passengers to ascertain whether they are entitled to enter the country, hence the long lines of vehicles.
The colonel refuted press reports that in Hungary half a million face masks ordered from India by the Czech Republic had been confiscated. These news reports are not true; not a single authority that would have been authorised to confiscate such supplies reported such measures, he stated.
He also mentioned that they continue to allow the movement of Hungarian and Slovak nationals within a thirty-kilometre zone of the Hungarian-Slovak border.
Mr Lakatos pointed out that there are ever more coronavirus patients around the world and in neighbouring countries; 314 in Slovenia, 128 in Croatia, 135 in Slovakia, 2,388 in Austria, 425 in Poland and 833 in the Czech Republic.
He further said the number of individuals in compulsory home quarantine is increasing in proportion to the number of individuals returning to Hungary; at present, there are 3,771 persons in home quarantine. The authorities have checked them 15,525 times, and have established breaches in 94 cases. In 18 of these case, they have imposed onsite fines or cautioned the individuals concerned, while in 76 cases the non-compliant individuals have been prosecuted. In connection with the violation of the restrictions on the opening hours of commercial establishments, three individuals have been cautioned, in nine instances onsite fines have been imposed, while a further 14 persons have been prosecuted.
He also said the individuals concerned mostly observe the rules of compulsory home quarantine, but there are some who are endangering the physical well-being, health and lives of others with their irresponsible behaviour. If a non-confirmed quarantined person violates the rules of compulsory home quarantine, he or she is prosecuted due to the commission of an offence, while confirmed patients are prosecuted due to the commission of a crime.
The colonel highlighted that at the Saturday meeting of the Operational Group, they took stock of the resources available for enforcing the measures imposed so far and new necessary measures yet to be adopted. “In addition to law enforcement and defence personnel, we also took stock of the number of qualified persons who could be called in to work in the health care system,” he observed.
In answer to a question regarding the possible calling up of reservists, he highlighted that they are required to take stock not necessarily because they are planning to introduce new measures, but in order to enable those currently serving to take time off and to guarantee the enforcement of the measures implemented over an extended period.
Regarding a question on the introduction of a curfew, he said at this point in time there are no plans for the introduction of a curfew; the imposition of a curfew will not depend on the numbers of cases, but will apply to everyone. They take the view that the measures implemented so far such as the closure of shops, places of entertainment and schools and working from home have come up to expectations, and there are far fewer people present in public spaces.
In answer to a question of the Hungarian news agency MTI, he said at this time the closure of hotels is not on the agenda, though “the time might come” to close them down; the current situation does not warrant such a measure. In response to a question about the reserve premises for the placement of patients, he said such premises will be designated if health care institutions are no longer able to receive patients. He added that they will decide about the institutions and properties that might be suitable for accommodating patients and persons under observation at a later date.
He also said in answer to another question that the Operational Group did not discuss the issue of free parking in the capital because that falls within municipal competence.
He asked those who share news and information with others to only inform themselves from reliable and trustworthy sources.
Mr Lakatos further informed the press that they had received raw materials for the production of protective supplies, while next week they would also receive protective supplies to help with the containment of the epidemic. Regarding the construction of the Kiskunhalas container hospital, he said so far the necessary preparations have been completed.
In answer to a question, the head of the duty centre pointed out that document offices were prepared for the eventuality that more customers would avail themselves of booking appointments online. Additionally, he drew attention to the fact that in the case of certain documents there is no need to contact the document offices as their validity has been extended.
Source: kormany.hu/en
Tibor Lakatos pointed out that border controls and maintaining the ongoing transportation of goods are among the top priorities.
He recalled that on Friday, due to measures implemented by the Romanian authorities, passengers heading for Romania had been required to endure long waiting times upon exiting Hungary. He observed that politicians and senior police personnel are consulting with the agencies of neighbouring countries every day in order to be able to maintain the operation of humanitarian corridors.
He stressed that if neighbouring countries do not agree to admit their own citizens and goods traffic, Hungary is likewise unable to allow these vehicles to pass through its territory.
In response to reports that goods delivery vehicles were required to wait longer, he highlighted that so far there had been no border checks at the Schengen borders. However, due to the epidemic, border controls have been reinstated. The border control authorities are required to check both the vehicles intending to enter and their drivers and passengers to ascertain whether they are entitled to enter the country, hence the long lines of vehicles.
The colonel refuted press reports that in Hungary half a million face masks ordered from India by the Czech Republic had been confiscated. These news reports are not true; not a single authority that would have been authorised to confiscate such supplies reported such measures, he stated.
He also mentioned that they continue to allow the movement of Hungarian and Slovak nationals within a thirty-kilometre zone of the Hungarian-Slovak border.
Mr Lakatos pointed out that there are ever more coronavirus patients around the world and in neighbouring countries; 314 in Slovenia, 128 in Croatia, 135 in Slovakia, 2,388 in Austria, 425 in Poland and 833 in the Czech Republic.
He further said the number of individuals in compulsory home quarantine is increasing in proportion to the number of individuals returning to Hungary; at present, there are 3,771 persons in home quarantine. The authorities have checked them 15,525 times, and have established breaches in 94 cases. In 18 of these case, they have imposed onsite fines or cautioned the individuals concerned, while in 76 cases the non-compliant individuals have been prosecuted. In connection with the violation of the restrictions on the opening hours of commercial establishments, three individuals have been cautioned, in nine instances onsite fines have been imposed, while a further 14 persons have been prosecuted.
He also said the individuals concerned mostly observe the rules of compulsory home quarantine, but there are some who are endangering the physical well-being, health and lives of others with their irresponsible behaviour. If a non-confirmed quarantined person violates the rules of compulsory home quarantine, he or she is prosecuted due to the commission of an offence, while confirmed patients are prosecuted due to the commission of a crime.
The colonel highlighted that at the Saturday meeting of the Operational Group, they took stock of the resources available for enforcing the measures imposed so far and new necessary measures yet to be adopted. “In addition to law enforcement and defence personnel, we also took stock of the number of qualified persons who could be called in to work in the health care system,” he observed.
In answer to a question regarding the possible calling up of reservists, he highlighted that they are required to take stock not necessarily because they are planning to introduce new measures, but in order to enable those currently serving to take time off and to guarantee the enforcement of the measures implemented over an extended period.
Regarding a question on the introduction of a curfew, he said at this point in time there are no plans for the introduction of a curfew; the imposition of a curfew will not depend on the numbers of cases, but will apply to everyone. They take the view that the measures implemented so far such as the closure of shops, places of entertainment and schools and working from home have come up to expectations, and there are far fewer people present in public spaces.
In answer to a question of the Hungarian news agency MTI, he said at this time the closure of hotels is not on the agenda, though “the time might come” to close them down; the current situation does not warrant such a measure. In response to a question about the reserve premises for the placement of patients, he said such premises will be designated if health care institutions are no longer able to receive patients. He added that they will decide about the institutions and properties that might be suitable for accommodating patients and persons under observation at a later date.
He also said in answer to another question that the Operational Group did not discuss the issue of free parking in the capital because that falls within municipal competence.
He asked those who share news and information with others to only inform themselves from reliable and trustworthy sources.
Mr Lakatos further informed the press that they had received raw materials for the production of protective supplies, while next week they would also receive protective supplies to help with the containment of the epidemic. Regarding the construction of the Kiskunhalas container hospital, he said so far the necessary preparations have been completed.
In answer to a question, the head of the duty centre pointed out that document offices were prepared for the eventuality that more customers would avail themselves of booking appointments online. Additionally, he drew attention to the fact that in the case of certain documents there is no need to contact the document offices as their validity has been extended.
Source: kormany.hu/en