Orbán: Government focuses on four aspects of epidemic response – UPDATE
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The government has organised its response to the new coronavirus epidemic along the policing, military, health-care and economic aspects of the epidemic, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Monday.
“We will have to succeed on four battlefields simultaneously,” Orbán said at an online press conference of the operative board responsible for coordinating efforts.
The epidemic in Hungary is “nearing by leaps and bounds” to the stage of mass infections,
Orbán said, noting that the number of confirmed cases has risen to 167 by Monday morning.
Orbán: Small businesses in further sectors granted tax exemption
A total of 81,480 small companies in other sectors will benefit from a tax exemption until June 30 in view of the novel coronavirus epidemic, PM Orbán told.
Viktor Orbán said that similarly to the exemption granted for taxi drivers, entrepreneurs including hairdressers, beauticians, decorators, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, as well as artists and providers of health, sports, and some welfare services would be exempted from paying the Itemised Tax for Small Businesses (KATA).
Orbán said that
business would be granted an extended deadline to settle their “kata” tax arrears accumulated before March 1, to be paid in the first quarter after the state of emergency is called off.
Similarly to companies in tourism and catering, media providers will be exempted from paying their tax on lost advertising revenues, the prime minister said.
Evictions, property seizure and tax collection procedures will be suspended, and taxpayers will not be required to pay their arrears until after the end of the state of emergency, he said.
Young mothers whose title for child benefits would terminate during the state of emergency, will continue to receive their benefits, the prime minister said.
Orbán also said that doctors and nurses working with patients in intensive care would be provided special masks starting on Tuesday morning. All other doctors and nurses in hospital will be given surgical masks, he added.