Orbán: Hungary health-care sector prepared to handle next wave of epidemic

Hungary’s health-care sector is prepared to handle the next wave of the coronavirus epidemic, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Facebook on Saturday.

“The virus must not be allowed to paralyse us again,” Orbán said after a meeting of the operative board coordinating Hungary’s response to the epidemic.

Hospitals have more than 10,000 beds available to treat coronavirus patients if the situation were to get worse, he said. “Ventilators are also in place and hospital capacity is practically unlimited,” the prime minister said. “No Hungarian will be left untreated if they catch coronavirus.”

Orbán said the operative board has prepared several measures for next Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. These include enforcing rules that apply to mask-wearing, shopping and the use of public transport, he said. Those found in violation of these rules will face penalties from now on, he added.