Hungarian parliament lifts state of emergency! – UPDATE

Parliament on Tuesday terminated the state of emergency introduced in March in response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic.

The law submitted by Gergely Gulyás, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, which required a two-thirds majority of lawmakers in attendance was approved with 192 votes in favour and no votes against.

The date the emergency is lifted will be decided by the government.

Justice Minister Judit Varga said earlier that

the emergency was expected to be lifted on June 20.

Parliament on Tuesday also passed a law sponsored by Gulyás on temporary health measures related to the epidemic and the state of epidemiological preparedness with 135 for, 54 against and 3 abstentions.

Under the law, the government may order a state of health emergency at the proposal of the Chief Medical Officer. Such an emergency can be called if people’s lives are endangered or if the fitness of health-care staff is compromised to an extent that demand for health care outstrips supply. It also applies if hospitals are burdened to the extent that the quality of care is seriously compromised.

The law defines six months as the maximum period it can be applied, though the government can order an extension.

It also sets official home quarantine regulations which allow for exemptions in special cases.

The law authorises armed Hungarian army personnel to carry out tasks related to health emergencies.

Meanwhile, it extends provisions affecting health insurance and family subsidies, as well as a measure making parking free of charge in public areas until July 1.

It also keeps a moratorium on repayments of corporate and retail loans in force until the end of 2020.

• Coronavirus – Two patients die, 4,077 registered infections in Hungary

UPDATE

State of emergency set to end Wednesday midnight

Gergely Gulyás, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, has called for the legislation on ending the state of emergency introduced in March in response to the novel coronavirus epidemic passed by parliament to proclaim as a law as soon as possible so that the state of emergency could be lifted as early as midnight on Wednesday.

The government welcomes parliament’s decision to approve the termination of the state of emergency, Gulyás told a press conference in Parliament.

Details HERE.

Orbán cabinet: Hungary successfully completed first phase of protection

Hungary has successfully completed the first phase of implementing protection measures against the novel coronavirus epidemic, concentrating on health care, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Monday.

Szijjártó told parliament

the crisis had revealed areas where Europe must make progress and introduce changes, such as making sure that it is not dependent on external players in strategic areas.

He added that Hungary had taken timely steps, acquiring protective gear from China while also establishing domestic production capacities.

Hungary will turn the tough economic situation to its benefit, he said.

Amid a deluge of bad news about the global economy, 806 companies in Hungary will carry out developments worth 377 billion forints (EUR 1.1bn) throughout the country with government support, he added.

• Chinese military provides anti-virus supplies to Hungarian Defense Forces

Source: MTI