Orbán: Regulated Covid test price set at HUF 19,500

Restrictions on entry imposed from September 1 will remain in place and the wearing of face masks will be made mandatory on public transport, in cinemas, theatres, health and social institutions and public offices, Orbán said after a cabinet meeting. The blanket visiting ban for hospitals and retirement homes will also remain in place, he added.

Concerning schools, the prime minister said that from October 1, only teachers and students will be allowed into school buildings and will be required to undergo temperature screening upon entry.

“We won a battle against the first wave and now we have to face the second wave,” Orbán said. “We’re now more prepared, more experienced and have a National Consultation survey to look to.”

Citing epidemiologists, the prime minister said the second wave of the epidemic was expected to peak around December or January, adding that Hungary would have to keep defending against it until then. “We have a strategy that centers on protecting the elderly and treating those who are ill while making sure that the country is able to function,” he said.

The health-care sector is prepared to handle the epidemic and Hungary has all the necessary equipment, hospital beds, ventilators, doctors and nurses to mount a defence, Orbán said. The more than 10,000 hospital beds available for treating Covid-19 patients could even be doubled or tripled if necessary, he added.

“Everyone can rest easy,” the prime minister said. “Anyone who catches the virus will be cured.”

Orbán asked the public to observe the regulations and said that he has instructed the interior minister to monitor compliance with the rules and penalise those who violate them.