Hungary surpasses 331,000 coronavirus cases

Fully 118 Covid patients, generally elderly and suffering from an underlying illness, died over the past 24 hours, while 2047 new infections were officially registered, bringing the total number of infected to 331,768, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Monday.

The death toll has risen to 10,198, while the number of people who have made a recovery has increased to 179,541.

The number of active infections stands at 142,029, while there are 5,646 hospitalised Covid patients, 396 on a ventilator.

Altogether 20,657 people are in official home quarantine, and the number of tests carried out has risen to 2,729,881.

Most infections have been registered in Budapest (62,989) and Pest County (41,471) so far, followed by the counties of Győr-Moson-Sopron (19,079), Hajdú-Bihar (19,008) and Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén (18,769). The county least affected by the infection is Tolna (6,634).

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Restrictions in Hungary

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 decree made commercial P+Rs, parking garages and parking lots in residential areas free of charge from 7:00 in the evening until 7:00 in the morning. Soldiers are helping the police in carrying out their duties in public areas. Soldiers have also been assigned to help out staff in 93 hospitals around Hungary.

The 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. Family and private events including birthday celebrations can be held with a maximum of ten people attending, children do not count in the headcount.

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.

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, cannot be held under the special rules.

Source: MTI