Coronavirus – Hungary announces further easing of lockdown

The head of the Prime Minister’s Office has announced that Pest County will join the rest of the country and ease its coronavirus-related restrictions. Budapest will remain under the original strict regime for the time being.

Gergely Gulyás noted in his weekly online press briefing that Pest County’s epidemic data bore greater similarity to other regions than to the capital’s. The government will soon decide on easing restrictions in Budapest, too, he added.

• EU plan looks to reopen borders for summer tourism amid pandemic

Physical distancing and face masks are still requirements, but restaurants and other catering facilities outside Budapest can open indoors areas to the public. Public parks and playgrounds, as well as hotels are also allowed to reopen from Monday, the minister added.

Gulyás said that in the government’s view restrictions in Budapest may also be eased soon.

The government sought the opinion of all district mayors and the city’s mayor, Gergely Kaáacsony, before turning to virologists for their views, Gulyás said. The final decision is in the hands of the operative board coordinating the epidemic response, he added.

Many district mayors “have expressed their opinions very clearly, while Karácsony seems to have no clear-cut view on the matter,” Gulyás said, adding that the government would take responsibility for the final decision.

Current regulations are in effect until Friday midnight, he said. New regulations will be made public on Friday or Saturday, he added.

Schools will definitely not re-open before June 2, Gulyás said, adding that it was conceivable that the academic year may be concluded even if students did not return to the classroom before the summer holiday.