Coronavirus – Mayor: Budapest in need of a million face masks

Budapest will need a supply of at least one million FFP2 face masks with particle filters over the coming period in light of the spread of the novel coronavirus, Mayor Gergely Karácsony said on Friday.

The masks would primarily serve to protect health-care and social sector workers, Karácsony told an online press conference streamed on his Facebook page.

In addition, at least another 5 million surgical masks are needed to be distributed to the public, he said.

Karácsony said the metropolitan council had notified the government both of its own supply needs and those of the capital’s districts on Friday, adding that the capital is doing everything it can to procure the necessary protective equipment.

He said ensuring the supply of the necessary protective gear was not a question of money, adding, at the same time, that the equipment was hard to get a hold of.

• Coronavirus – Chief medical officer urges public to stay home, avoid close contact
• Coronavirus – Hungary reports fourth death

Meanwhile, Karácsony announced that from March to June the city council will not collect rent from small and medium-sized companies that rent space from the city council.