The next phase of easing? – Great reopening in Hungary after 4 million vaccinations

It seems like the third wave is somewhat coming to an end, or at least it is over its peak, and so the Hungarian government has decided that a slow reopening could be initiated. Hungary’s policy for reopening is based on the number of vaccinated people and that it will be done in phases.

We are already in the first phase of easing restrictions since the strict regulations initiated in early March. Some schools have also restarted their in-person education with more or less success. The next milestone will be when 3.5 million people in Hungary have received their first coronavirus jab. It is expected to be reached around the 21^st to 23^rd of April, meaning that the terraces and gardens of catering units can open as early as this weekend. The other, current restrictions will still be applied.

However, according to Magyar Hírlap, a news agency close to the Hungarian government, they have information on what restrictions will be terminated when the country reaches 4 million people with at least their first vaccine jabs, and it seems like it will be a big reopening.

The agency says that after the magical 4 million jabs, the government might allow hotels, baths, cinemas, theatres and other cultural events to reopen.

This is great news, and this milestone is currently only about 750,000 vaccinations away. However, another important thing to note is that in order

to visit such establishments, everyone over 18 need to have an immunity certificate.

You can read more about the certificate HERE. According to koronavirus.gov.hu, currently, only 4.3 million people have registered to be inoculated, so it seems that this is – apart from obviously helping curb the pandemic – one of the government’s strategies to motivate people to register for the vaccine.

Also, at 4 million vaccine jabs, catering units might reopen and not just terraces, but interior units as well, but only with complying with the other current restrictions.

The catering staff must wear a mask at all times, and guests need to wear them when they are not eating or drinking, says Magyar Hírlap. It seems that catering units will be free to visit, and there will be no need for immunity certificates.

The following measures seem to still be in effect when this milestone is reached:

• The curfew lasts from 10 pm until 5 am;
• Shops can be open until 9:30 pm;
• Stores can be open, with a customer/square-metre limit: 1 costumer/10 square metres/shop can be at any place at once;
• Services can be open;
• Mask wearing is mandatory on the streets, public transportation units and indoors

Read alsoThe terraces may open soon, but are they ready for the rush?

Source: Magyarhirlap.hu, Index.hu, 24.hu