Are public officials not obligated to wear a mask? – PHOTOS

The vaccination process is going very well in Hungary. So well, apparently, that some think it is already time to ditch some restrictions.

Over three million people have received at least their first doses. Hungary is the first country that has approved the usage of 8 different vaccines in order to boost the procedure. The success is also partly due to the

very fastly progressing drive of the Hungarian people to be vaccinated.

When the country hit 2.5 million administered doses in the first week of April, the government slowly started to ease some of the restrictions. Kindergartens and the lower classes of primary schools have restarted this Monday. Concerning the news that interest most of the people, PM Viktor Orbán said that

once Hungary reaches 3.5 million administered jabs, bars and restaurants can slowly re-open their terraces.

Based on the numbers, this can very easily happen even today. 

These are all good and positive news. Nevertheless, we are not there yet. Right now, we still have some severe restrictions left to follow that were introduced on March 8. Just to mention the most important ones, we still need to respect a curfew and be home before 10pm. Keeping your distance in public places and shops is still a necessary precaution,

so is the usage of a mask not only in closed areas but also in public places such as the streets.

This might be the most important rule to follow, as not respecting it can result in a costly fine. Even football players of a Hungarian team were told they had to pay 100 euros every time they show up at training or a meeting without wearing a mask. Being caught in the street can result in an even higher price to be paid.

This is not only a critical restriction to protect yourself and everyone around you, but its violation is also the easiest to spot.

It is a universal rule that everyone has to follow, whether you are a politician, a public official or a simple citizen. In theory, at least.

Yesterday we received some pictures from one of our readers. He often passes by the Romanian border in Battonya, in the southeast part of the country. He asked us the question:

“Should not tax and customs officials be wearing a mask? Or is it just everyday citizens who are obliged to do so?”

He even added that this was not the first occasion he saw officials violating the rule; they often interact with people this way, almost every day.

Facebook – Toma L.

As seen in these photos, they are not only without the mask when inside their office and alone, but also when walking outside and watching over people crossing the border.

Facebook – Toma L.

Some of them even talk to a driver sitting in his car. Truth be told, the officer is not the only one who apparently can not breathe normally with a mask. The driver does not wear one either. They seem to be having a friendly chat; maybe the driver is also a customs officer.

Facebook – Toma L.

We can agree or disagree whether using a surgical mask is a reasonable restriction or simply an unnecessary act to feel safer and have the impression we are protecting each other. Nevertheless,

rules are rules that need to be followed by the whole of the population

once the government decides to implement it.
Either these officers should receive some warning in the form of a fine, as this is the fairest option when civilians also have to pay the price of being caught without a mask. Or the opposite has to happen, the easing of the restriction involving everyone, not only those who have public employment. 

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

Source: mti.hu, index.hu , Facebook