PM Orbán revealed when the restrictions could be lifted

Hungary needs as much vaccine as possible since lives depend on it and “every life counts”, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Friday.

Around 400,000 Hungarians have either contracted the coronavirus infection or have been inoculated against it, which is a low number, Orbán told public Kossuth radio.

Life can return to normal only after the vaccine is provided to health workers, people in social care homes, the elderly, those above the age of 60 and those with underlying conditions, as well as people involved in protection against the virus, including government members, he added.

Discussion of lifting restrictions can only take place after these people are inoculated, he said. “It all depends on how much vaccine can be acquired,” he said.

Commenting on European vaccine licencing, Orbán said competition between manufacturers was limited as long as only one or two types were licenced. “If there is competition, then the manufacturers will get a move on,” he added.

Orbán noted the foreign minister is in Moscow procuring vaccines, and negotiations with China are at an advanced stage. Also, negotiations are ongoing in respect of the AstraZeneca jab, he said.

Next week a decision will be made about giving higher vaccination priority to teachers and students.

The prime minister noted that the government can order the special legal order for two weeks. The spring session of parliament will then begin and the government will turn to lawmakers regarding the matter, he said.

Read alsoAstraZeneca, Sputnik V vaccines get Hungarian authorities’ approval

Source: MTI