Coronavirus in Hungary- 111 fatalities, infections up 4,320

Fully 111 Covid patients, mostly elderly and suffering from an underlying illness, have died in the past 24 hours and coronavirus infections have risen by 4,320 to 174,618, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Saturday.

Altogether 3,800 Covid patients have died since the appearance of coronavirus in Hungary, while 42,915 have made a recovery. There are currently 127,903 active infections and 7,278 patients are in hospital, 618 on ventilators.

Fully 42,370 people are in official home quarantine, while the number of tests stands at 1,502,847.

Across Europe, in neighboring countries and in Hungary, the number of people infected is increasing, and more and more people are requesting hospital care. The epidemic cannot be stopped, the aim is to slow down the epidemic and protect the performance of hospitals. This is also the purpose of the new emergency protection measures.

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 major new rule is that face masks must be worn in public spaces in localities with more than 10,000 residents, though it is up to local mayors to decide which spaces the rule applies to.

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Among other measures recently introduced: school classes from the eighth grade as well as universities are now holding lessons and lectures online. Also, a curfew is in force between 8pm and 5am, and work carried out beyond the home must be justified. With the exception of pharmacies and petrol stations, shops can be open until 7pm. Hairdressers, masseurs and personal trainers must observe general curfew rules.

Restaurants are limited to offering takeaways, while hotels are not allowed to cater to tourists, only guests arriving for business, economic or educational purposes. Sports events must be held behind closed doors.

Also, leisure facilities such as fitness gyms, indoor swimming pools, museums, libraries, cinemas, zoos and skating rinks must suspend their services. Events, including cultural events and Christmas fairs, cannot be held under the special rules. Family and private events including birthday celebrations can be held with a maximum of ten people attending.

Funerals can be held with not more than 50 people in attendance. The government has asked religious communities to make sure their conduct during ceremonies aligns with general coronavirus safety rules. 

Source: MTI