Hungarian government suspends dedicated shopping times for the elderly

Starting on Saturday, the government will suspend dedicated shopping times for the elderly introduced as a result of the coronavirus epidemic, the government information centre said.

The suspension of dedicated shopping times has been proposed by trade organisations and the elderly affairs council in order to prevent large crowds gathering for Christmas shopping, the government information centre said on Friday.

The suspension will stay in force until further notice, it added.

Restrictions in Hungary

Between 9am and 11am on weekdays and 8am and 10am on weekends, customers below that age are banned from shopping in grocery shops, household chemists and pharmacies. Senior citizens have the right to shop at any time.

On November 10, lawmakers extended the government’s special powers by 90 days, allowing the government to suspend the application of some legislation, diverge from legal provisions and take other extraordinary measures by decree.

A decree made commercial P+Rs, parking garages and parking lots in residential areas free of charge from 7:00 in the evening until 7:00 in the morning. Soldiers are helping the police in carrying out their duties in public areas. Soldiers have also been assigned to help out staff in 93 hospitals around Hungary.