Austria

BREAKING! Hungary eases travel restrictions, further alleviation to be expected

border koronavirus.gov.hu hungary

From Wednesday, anyone can enter Hungary without restrictions at the land and water border crossing points of six neighbouring countries. Presumably, further easing of restrictions can be expected in Hungary when the number of vaccinated people reaches 5.5 million.

A few days ago, Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó announced at a press conference in Slovakia that Hungary would lift the guarding of border crossing points at its internal Schengen borders and open the border crossings previously closed due to the coronavirus epidemic. The plan entered into force this week, after the Hungarian government amended the regulation on travel restrictions. Accordingly,

from 23rd June, anyone can enter Hungary without restrictions at the land and water border crossing points of six neighbouring countries, including Austria, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia, except by air.

The Hungarian news portal, Turizmus.com, highlighted that the opening of the borders does not affect visits to hotels, restaurants (except terraces), spas, museums, and other attractions, as these services can still be used only by citizens of countries with which Hungary has a unilateral or bilateral agreement on the vaccination certificate.

So far, Hungary has a bilateral agreement with the following countries: Morocco, Albania, Bahrain, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Northern Macedonia, Georgia, Croatia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Turkey.

In addition, the Hungarian government has signed another bilateral agreement with Kazakhstan. Accordingly, from now on, anyone can travel to Kazakhstan without restrictions if they have a Hungarian immunity certificate, and Hungary also accepts the Kazakh vaccination certificates, reported 24.hu.

However, the EU immunity certificate, which is expected to enter into force on 1st July, will only apply to vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency, so those who have been vaccinated with a Russian or Chinese vaccine will need a negative Covid test to travel within the EU.

Meanwhile, Russia has also opened up to passengers with Hungarian citizenship and permanent residence if they arrive by direct flight from Hungary. According to the relevant government decree, the border crossing is open with a valid visa and a negative PCR test not older than three days.

Previously, the Russian authorities only allowed entry to passengers who arrived in the country for investment, economic, business purposes, or to visit relatives. The Russian government decree also covers citizens of Austria, Croatia, Luxembourg, Lebanon, and Mauritius, reported Index.

Presumably, further ease of restrictions can be expected in Hungary based on the announcement of Katalin Novák, Hungarian MP, according to whom

a significant portion of the current epidemiological restrictions will be lifted by the government when the number of vaccinated people reaches 5.5 million.

As Pénzcentrum reports, further details will be revealed on Thursday’s Government Info. So far, 5 million 432 thousand people in Hungary received their first vaccination, so Hungary might achieve the goal of 5.5 million vaccinated people in a week.

Regarding the possibility of easing the epidemiological restrictions in Hungary, experts highlighted that the need for mask use is still reasonable until 80% inoculation is achieved in Hungary. According to 24.hu, even though wearing a mask is uncomfortable and suffocating, it has an incredibly good barrier function, just like keeping social distance and washing hands frequently.

Thanks to all these, the spread of the new delta variant can be impeded more efficiently. As 24.hu reports, compared to other countries in the world, the presence of the delta variant is currently very low in Hungary. Numerically, only 5 cases of the mutant from India have been detected so far.

aircraft travel flight
Read alsoHungary in the safest green zone – where can we travel from now on?

Breaking – Hungary offers to vaccinate frontier commuters

Hungary vaccine border
Hungary will offer to inoculate foreign nationals living in border regions against the coronavirus from July, the government said on its website late on Tuesday.
 
Foreign nationals living in areas along the borders Hungary shares with Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and Slovakia will be able to get a Covid jab at designated inoculation sites in Hungary.
 
Registration will take place on site. People will not be permitted to select the vaccine administered but will get the Covid jab that is available.
 
Offering the vaccine to foreign nationals aged 18 and older will contribute to the pandemic defence of Hungarian nationals and Hungarians living in border regions outside of the country, the government said. Details of the measure will be published in a decree on Monday. Hungary has inoculated more than half of its population against the coronavirus.
 
Hungary coronavirus map
https://koronavirus.gov.hu/terkepek/fertozottek
Eight patients died over the past 24 hours, while 91 new infections were registered, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Wednesday.
 
So far 5,431,713 people have received a first jab, while 4,619,877 have been fully vaccinated.
 
The number of active infections has declined to 41,417, while hospitals are treating 241 Covid patients, 32 of whom need respiratory assistance. There are 3,322 people in official quarantine, while 6,073,516 tests have been officially carried out.

Since the first outbreak, 807,775 infections have been registered, while fatalities have risen to 29,971. Fully 736,387 people have made a recovery. So far, most infections have been registered in Budapest and Pest County, followed by the counties of Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Győr-Moson-Sopron and Hajdú-Bihar.
 
 

Want to travel abroad from Hungary? – Here is everything you need to know

budapest_airport_safety_measures

The coronavirus pandemic has made international travel almost impossible last year, and since then, nothing has really returned to normal. It is hard to navigate through all the information out there, so we try to keep you updated with as much information as we can.

If you would like to travel from Hungary abroad, you can easily do so to 16 other countries with which Hungary has a bilateral agreement, that is, if you have a Hungarian immunity certificate.

You can learn more about the Hungarian immunity certificate HERE. You can check out all the countries that recognise the Hungarian immunity certificate – at the time of writing this article – and it makes you exempt from most if not all travel restrictions in THIS article.

Also, the testing phase of the coronavirus passport accepted by all European Union countries has started in Hungary. The unified passport will allow for the free movement of European citizens once again and will launch by July 1st. Although keep in mind that it only works if you were inoculated with vaccines that the European Medicines Agency accepts, which are currently the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccines)

But if you would like to travel somewhere before that or have been inoculated with a different vaccine, luckily for you, Forbes.hu have created a detailed list of restrictions in place for the most popular destinations from Hungary.

Everything you need to know about the EU Covid certificate!

Breaking – Important change to come to the Hungarian immunity certificate

Almost all other countries must have some kind of additional restriction in place. It is best that you also contact either your embassy in the country you would like to travel to or any relevant authorities of the target country.

Austria

If you would like to go to Austria, you should either have:
  • An antigen test no older than 24 hours
  • A PCR test no older than 72 hours
  • An antibody test no older than 3 months
  • A certificate from a doctor if you recovered from the coronavirus within the last 6 months
  • If you were vaccinated with Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Moderna or Sinopharm (22 days after the first jab – for 3 months; or 9 months after the second jab or the first in case of a one-dose vaccine)
Do I need to register beforehand?

If you have one of the above, you do not need to register since June 10.

Do I need to wear a mask?

You must wear an FFP2 or better mask in stores and on public transportation.

Greece

If you would like to go to Greece, you should either have:
  • A PCR test no older than 72 hours
  • 14 days after the final vaccination of these vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Sinovac, Sputnik V, Sinopharm
  • If you have recovered from the coronavirus, with a PCR or rapid antigen test that is more than two months but no more than 9 months old
Do I need to register beforehand?

If you are entering Greece, you need to register at least 24 hours before you do so. There is an English Passenger Locator Form which you need to fill out. If you do so, you will get a QR-code that is scanned at the border.

Do I need to wear a mask?

Yes. Both indoors and outdoors. If there are any passengers in a car other than the driver, you also need to wear a mask.

Croatia

If you would like to go to Croatia, you should either have:
  • A PCR test no older than 72 hours
  • A negative antigen test no older than 48 hours
  • If you have recovered from the virus, a certificate from a doctor or a positive PCR or antigen test no older than 180 days, but issued at least 11 days or more before travelling ( in this case, positive antibody results and the Hungarian certificate if you have recovered from the virus is not accepted)
  • A Hungarian immunity certificate and after you received both doses of the vaccine or 14 days after the one-dose Janssen vaccine
  • If someone has recovered from the virus and have received the first dose of a vaccine within the last six months, you can travel without any tests for 6 months after the first dose
  • If 22 days have passed since you received the first dose of Pfizer or Moderna or Sputnik V, but no more than 42 days pass, or in the case of AstraZeneca, 22 days after the first dose but no more than 84 days. ( In the case of Sinopharm, you can only travel if you have received both jabs)
Do I need to register beforehand?

At the border, you have to declare how long do you plan to stay in the country, what places you will visit and the actual address of your accommodation. There is also a form that you can fill out beforehand.

Do I need to wear a mask?

It is mandatory to wear a mask on public transportation, in administrative offices, in shops, banks, post offices, health care facilities, buildings of educational institutions and buildings of companies providing services.

Orbán’s secret plan against the virus

Covid-19 status in Hungary – is it over?

Germany

You can currently travel to Germany from Hungary without any restriction; however, if you are travelling by plane, you need either of the following:
  • An antigen test no older than 48 hours
  • A test based on nucleic acid detection that is no older than 72 hours (PCR, LAMP, TMA)
  • At least 14 days have passed after the second dose of any vaccine accepted by the German PEI Institute (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen)
  • If you have recovered from the coronavirus, you need a positive PCR test older than 28 days but no older than 6 months
Do I need to register beforehand?

There is no need for registration.

Do I need to wear a mask?

In administrative offices, in stores and on public transportation, it is mandatory to wear a mask.

Italy

If you would like to go to Italy before the 31st of July:
  • You need a PCR test conducted within 48 hours, regardless of any circumstances ( you will need to be quarantined for 10 days if you have no test results)
Do I need to register beforehand?

Similar to Greece, you need to register online at the Passenger Locator Form.

Do I need to wear a mask?

Mask wearing is mandatory both indoors and outdoors.

Slovenia

If you would like to go to Slovenia, you should either have:
  • A negative PCR or antigen test no older than 48 hours
  • A Hungarian immunity certificate

If you do not have a Hungarian immunity certificate, but you can prove either of the following:

  • You received the second dose of Pfizer at least 7 days prior
  • You received the Janssen vaccine or the second dose of Moderna, Sputnik V, Coronavac or Sinopharm vaccines at least 14 days prior
  • You received the first dose of AstraZeneca or Covishield at least 21 days prior
Do I need to register beforehand?

If you are staying for more than 3 days, then yes, but some accommodations will arrange that for you.

Do I need to wear a mask?

It is mandatory to wear one indoors.

Lake Balaton Pier
Read alsoAll the beaches in Hungary you can enjoy without an immunity certificate

Here are the most and least popular foreign politicians in Hungary

PUTYIN, Vlagyimir

The Hungarian population is hardly divided when it comes to politics, not to mention the perception of the most significant global political figures. Latter has been confirmed by the latest Civitas Institute poll, which measured the sympathy index of foreign politicians in Hungary. In the followings, we reveal who are the most popular and least popular global politicians according to Hungarians.

Within the framework of the Civital Institute poll, respondents were asked on a five-point scale how much they liked the listed politicians. Overall, it seems that „western” politicians are more popular in Hungary than their „eastern” counterparts. However, the division of domestic political views is also an important factor that is reflected in the results of the poll. As CEA Magazine reports,

the most popular foreign politician in Hungary is the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron are in the middle-field of the overall ranking, according to which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has gained the least popularity.

However, domestic political views also need to be considered. According to the voters of Fidesz-KDNP, Vladimir Putin is the winner of the ranking, followed by Sebastian Kurz and Xi Jinpiing, President of the People’s Republic of China. These respondents consider the Turkish President as the fourth and Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission) as the fifth most popular global political figures. As CEA Magazine reports, the preference of pro-government voters might be explained by the Hungarian government’s „Eastern Opening” foreign trade policy and the Covid-19 vaccine programme. At the end of the list, we can find Joe Biden, which serves as a shred of evidence that the political views of the US President are the least likeable for Fidesz voters.

Not surprisingly, the ranking of opposition voters shows totally different results. In their case, the most preferred political figures represent the European Union and the United States. Based on their responses, Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition politician, has the highest sympathy rates, followed by Ursula von der Leyen in the second and the US President in the third place. In the case of opposition voters, the least popular politicians are Xi Jinping and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The popularity of Russian politicians in both cases suggests the significant impact of Russian politics on Hungary.

Considering the different rankings, it can be concluded that the global political preferences of Hungarians depend significantly on their domestic political views. As a result, pro-government voters and opposition supporters are strongly divided in the field of international politics as well.

USA Biden Obama Iran
Read alsoVladimir Putin and Joe Biden consider meeting for a summit this summer

How good is the Hungarian metro system? – A regional comparison

metro M2

The underground system of the Hungarian capital has a relatively long history, as the Millenium Underground was built in 1896 and was the first underground line in the European mainland. But how do the current Hungarian underground system and general public transportation system fare against the cities of the surrounding Central and Eastern European countries?

The underground system of the Hungarian capital is currently not in a bad place; metro line four (M4) is still relatively new and modern, line two (M2) has been renewed, and the modernisation of metro line three (M3) is currently underway. The Millenium Underground, although not in a particularly bad shape, is ready for a renovation, and according to some plans, it will also be elongated, says Növekedés.

There have also been talks of a fifth metro line (M5) and a major rework of the commuter railway lines in Budapest, with some of them being relocated underground and connected to the others. These and many other developments are part of the large-scale city development project: Budapestvasut2040. If the new underground line is built, the Hungarian capital might get a much better ranking than it currently has and would immediately soar to the top. Now let us see how it currently fares.

Cities without any underground

Quite many surrounding capitals do not even have an underground system, such as Slovenia and Croatia, but neither Ljubljana nor Zagreb is large enough to have one necessarily, Növekedés reported. In the Slovak capital, Pozsony, there were attempts to create two underground lines, and the construction of one of them even began, but they were never finished. While there are currently no undergrounds in Serbia either, the construction of a system in Belgrade has been the focus of political programmes in recent times.

Budapest’s new metro line 5 could cost over €1 billion!

Renovated Hungarian metro cars are the real Russian roulette

Cities with underground

Warsaw

In the region, the last place goes to Warsaw, as it has only two underground lines to a city that is very similar in population to Budapest. The system is relatively new as the first underground was built in 1995, and the two lines are 32.4 kilometres in total lengths. It is also the only city in Poland with an underground.

Warsaw Metro Lines
Source: Wikimedia Commons / Jurij
Budapest

Hungary is unfortunately the second from the back. Although Budapest currently has four metro lines as part of its underground railway system, which would place it before the next contestant, but unfortunately, the total length of those lines is only 39 kilometres. If metro line five (M5) will be built, however, that would place the Hungarian capital much further up the list as Növekedés reported.

Budapest Metro Lines
Source: Wikimedia Commons / Vampeare
Prague

The third place goes to the Czech Republic’s capital, Prague. Although interestingly, it only has three metro lines, and they are labelled by letters rather than numbers – which is unique in the region – their total length is over 65 kilometres. That is quite a lot longer than the lines in the Hungarian capital. Additionally, both the metro cars and the lines themselves are pretty modern and in a good shape.

Prague Metro Lines
Source: Wikimedia Commons / Zirland
Bucharest

The second place goes to Bucharest, the capital of Romania. It has five metro lines, and the first underground railway car launched back in 1979. With an average of 1.5 kilometres of distance between stations – a total of 63 – and a total length of 77 kilometres, Bucharest passes Prague with quite a bit. According to Növekedés, in respect of the modernness and cleanliness of the system, it might be a bit beyond Hungary currently. It has many stations with old designs, and many of the cars are in bad shape or have been vandalised.

Bucharest Metro Lines
Source: Wikimedia Commons / Mliu92
Vienna

It might not surprise you that the winner in the region is Vienna, the capital of Austria. The system, called U-Bahn in German, is one of the most modern and the cars are in good shape. The first underground was operating in 1976, but the city had a predecessor to that with underground trams, which have been running earlier in the 20th century. Additionally, to that, Vienna also has an S-Bahn system, which is similar to the commuter railway lines of Budapest but far more superior.

Vienna Metro Lines
Source: Wikimedia Commons / HerrMay
Column Diagram Metro
Data from Novekedes.hu

But what about the prices?

According to Növekedés, the ticket prices of BKK (Centre for Budapest Transport) are on average compared to the region’s prices. You can see them in the following chart:

Ticket Prices Metro
Data from Novekedes.hu
Read alsoBudapest’s Millenium Underground celebrating its 125th anniversary! – PHOTOS

One more country recognises Hungarian immunity certificates!

immunity certificate hungary
Kazakhstan’s authorities have said that they would recognise coronavirus immunity certificates issued by their Hungarian, Thai, and Mongolian counterparts.
 
Holders of such certificates will be granted entry to Kazakhstan, according to a decree issued by the Kazakh chief medical officer on Saturday. So far, Hungary has concluded bilateral agreements with 15 other countries on mutually recognising immunity certificates and allowing free travel to each-other’s citizens.

These are:

  • Albania;
  • Bahrein;
  • Cyprus;
  • the Czech Republic;
  • North Macedonia;
  • Georgia;
  • Croatia;
  • Moldova;
  • Mongolia;
  • Montenegro;
  • Serbia;
  • Slovakia;
  • Slovenia;
  • Turkey;
  • Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Austrian citizens can still not enter Hungary

even if they obtain the so-called Austrian “green card”. A solution could be a similar bilateral agreement like in the case of Kazakhstan – index.hu wrote. The only exceptions are who

  • have a 30 to a 90-day-long residence permit in Hungary;
  • obtain a letter of invitation for medical purposes;
  • work near the border (30km);
  • or prove that they got the infection not earlier than six months.

It came to light yesterday that in Lower Austria authorities, found patients having the delta variant of the virus identified first in India. Furthermore, based on the Kronen Zeitung, today, seven more such infections were discovered. Authorities say that the five people concerned got the delta variant in five different countries – 24.hu reported.

 

Consulate general opened in Innsbruck, Austria

Hungary foreign minister
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó opened Hungary’s consulate general in Innsbruck, Hungary’s 148th around the world, on Friday.
 
“Innsbruck is a serious trade hub, and the development of foreign economic ties there is clearly in Hungary’s economic interest,” the minister said. Austria is Hungary’s second largest trading partner and Hungarian trade with the states of Tyrol, Salzburg and Vorarlberg, to be served by the consulate general in Innsbruck, totals almost 1.5 billion euros annually.

Szijjártó expressed thanks to Sonja Ledl-Rossman, president of the Tiroler Landtag, for her continued “flexible and constructive” support for setting up the consulate general and to those who “held Hungarians together even without a consulate office in the past”.
He granted the Order of Merit Knight’s Cross to Péter Szabados, the head of a Hungarian student home and cultural centre in Innsbruck,
and to Christian Winder, the honorary consul who has represented Hungary in Tyrol so far.
 

Orbán discusses pandemic protection, migration with head of Austria lower house

austria-hungary

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met Wolfgang Sobotka, the president of the Austrian parliament’s lower house, the National Council on Monday.

At the meeting in Budapest, Orbán and Sobotka discussed their countries’ successful coronavirus protection efforts and illegal migration.

Orbán noted at the meeting that thanks to a successful vaccination campaign, Hungary is “leading the pack” in herd immunity and the pace of easing pandemic-related restrictions.

Orbán welcomed that Austria is also returning to normality, and has recently allowed tourism into the country, Havasi said.

As a European “Covid passport” is not yet in sight, bilateral agreements between countries on accepting immunity certificates may be a solution.

Hungary is ready to conclude such an agreement with Austria too, he added.

Orbán and Sobotka also touched on illegal migration, which they said has been picking up recently. Although the pandemic temporarily stemmed migration to the European Union, it may gather momentum soon, warranting the strengthening of external borders, they said.

Orbán Johnson Hungary UK
Read alsoHungarian immunity certificates to be accepted in the UK soon!

Breaking – international train services to resume in June

Hungary train railway
Hungarian railways MAV said on Thursday that significant improvement in the epidemic situation will allow several of its international services to resume from June 1.
 
Hourly services between Budapest and Vienna will resume through Hegyeshalom, the company said in a statement. A direct railjet express service and night train to Switzerland will also restart and trains will leave for Munich every two hours during the day, in addition to a night service.
Services between Romania and Hungary
will be gradually restarted and a Wroclaw-Berlin service will again operate from May 24, in addition to trains to Krakow and Warsaw from May 26. Metropolitan EuroCity trains to Slovakia and the Czech Republic will again run from June 1, with full services resuming after June 13.
 
Báthory EuroCity trains will again operate to Poland from June 1, daily two InterCity services will operate to Kosice (Kassa) and trains will restart to Serbia through Kelebia.
 
One daily service will be again available between Budapest and Zagreb from June 25.

Europe reopens: France, Austria welcoming guests in cafes, beer gardens

restaurant terrace-hungary-coronavirus

Austrians flocked to cafes and beer gardens for the first time in more than six months on Wednesday, heaving a collective sigh of relief at a broad easing of coronavirus restrictions that put eating and drinking out back on the menu. For Parisian Elie Ayache, the world felt a little more normal on Wednesday: he was back at his favourite cafe, drinking his morning coffee and eating a croissant.

After repeated lockdowns and stubbornly high infections, new daily cases have fallen below 1,000 in recent weeks for the first time since October as accelerating vaccinations and warmer weather have kicked in.

The reopenings gave comfort to the nation that prides itself on Viennese cafes and wood-panelled guesthouses churning out beer and schnitzel.

“It is a day of joy after a months-long dry spell,” Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told reporters as he and several ministers arrived at a beer garden in Vienna while waiters carried trays of foam-topped pints shoulder-high.

Kurz has come under pressure for the slow pace of vaccinations and even criticised the European Union’s system of collective purchases for distributing doses unevenly. Austria did not buy all the vaccines it could have under that system but it has remained around or above the EU average.

“I cannot describe my joy. My endorphins are off the charts!”

said a waiter known as Mr Otto at Cafe Korb as he prepared for a wave of arrivals who had reserved despite unseasonally cold weather. While foreign tourists have yet to return to the Austrian capital, cafes relied on their regular visitors for the time being. Hotels are also allowed to take in non-business travellers as of Wednesday.

“For us today is a special day after going without for so long,” pensioner Uschi Hummer said as she had breakfast in Cafe Mozart. “We had to have a proper coffee out of china and not out of a mug, to treat.

Cafes, restaurants and beer gardens in France and Austria resumed serving customers on the premises, bringing to an end long shutdowns mandated by their governments to try to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“I was impatient to get back to my life, and to the person that I was before,”

said Ayache as he sat at the terrace outside Les Deux Magots, a cafe that was once a hangout for Ernest Hemingway and other literary celebrities,

France and Austria were the latest European countries to ease restrictions,

with Britain, Portugal, Spain and Italy having already begun relaxing social distancing rules in various ways. The global pandemic forced the closure of hospitality venues around the world. In Paris and Vienna, cities where cafe culture is part of the heritage, the shutdown was felt especially keenly.

At the Cafe Korb in Vienna, proprietor Franz Schubert used scissors to cut the hazard tape that had been used to cordon off tables and chairs on a terrace outside. Soon after, customers started arriving.

The shutdown that ended on Wednesday was the longest closure in the cafe’s 117-year history. “We are very happy to see an end to this,” said Schubert. “We are just happy to be able to work again.” Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and several ministers visited a beer garden in Vienna, where waiters were carrying trays of foam-topped pints shoulder-high.

“It is a day of joy after a months-long dry spell,”

Kurz told reporters.

ART OF LIVING

Though their emergence from the pandemic lags behind Asia, the United States, and even some of their European neighbours, Austria and France have seen a drop in infection rates.

The re-opening of cafes and other venues marked a milestone on the journey to getting back to normal life.

For now in france, customers at cafes can only be served outside.

In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron joined his prime minister, Jean Castex, for a coffee near the Elysee Palace.

“Here we go! Terraces, museums, cinemas, theatres … Let’s rediscover the things that make up the art of living,” Macron wrote on his Twitter account.

At the Louvre museum, open again on Wednesday, visitors were once again filing past Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and taking selfies. They could linger longer than usual in front of the painting, because the pre-pandemic crush of tourists has not yet returned.

Across town at the Deux Magots cafe, Ayache said that before the pandemic, coming for breakfast was part of his daily routine, allowing him to collect his thoughts. He would even come at weekends.

“I feel at home because I know the place, I know the people,”

said Ayache, who works in financial markets. His routine was not completely back to normal. His favourite spot is inside the cafe – still off limits because of COVID-19 restrictions – and he said the terrace was a little chilly. “But things are going to come back, bit by bit, and I’m very happy,” he said.

Featured image: illustration

Thousands of Hungarians cannot get immunity certificate in Austria

immunity certificate

Hungary’s western neighbour has announced that only those vaccinated with western vaccines can apply for an immunity certificate. Anyone who has been inoculated with the Chinese Sinopharm or the Russian Sputnik V vaccines are not entitled to get a green card in Austria. The regulation affects hundreds of thousands of Hungarians.

As the Austrian news portal Kleinezeitung reports, the Ministry of Health has indicated that only vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency will be accepted in Austria.

Accordingly, only those people are entitled to get the Austrian immunity certificate who have been vaccinated with Pfizer-Biontech, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Those who have been inoculated with these vaccines are allowed to go to the local cafés, restaurants, hotels and beaches. However, there are different rules for those who have chosen the Chinese Sinopharm or Russian Sputnik V vaccines.

In their case, a negative test is mandatory in order to visit any of the above places in the country.

As the Hungarian news portal Pénzcentrum reports, the freshly introduced regulation on the Austrian immunity certificate affects hundreds of thousands of Hungarians who have been inoculated with Sinopharm or Sputnik V vaccines.

As an explanation, Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein explained that he would not recommend revaccination to those who had received an Eastern vaccine because there was not enough scientific data on the health effects of revaccination. So, for the time being, they also have to prove their immunity with a negative test if they want to go to a restaurant, café or use any other services in Austria.

sputnik-v-russia
Read alsoAustria to buy Sputnik V vaccine after EMA approval

Special manoeuvres as part of Black Swan military exercise – PHOTOS

Hungary military

Special manoeuvres were presented to experts and journalists as part of the Black Swan 2021 international military exercise at a Hungarian army base near Szolnok, in central Hungary, on Wednesday.

Hungary military
Photo: MTI

The exercise involved

Hungarian, Austrian, Croatian, Slovak and Slovenian soldiers and was assisted by US trainers and troops as well as trainers from Germany,

Ferenc Köröm, the Hungarian army chief, told reporters after the event.

Hungary military
Photo: MTI

Black Swan aimed at launching the regional special operations command in Szolnok which will have to be fully operational by 2024, he said, adding that the Wednesday event was a first test for that.

Black Swan is taking place on Hungarian, Croatian, and Slovak territory, with the Hungarian command coordinating the operations.

Hungary military
Photo: MTI

It is being organised in connection with the US Trojan Footprint-South 2021 and Blue Sky exercises, and is part of the Defender Europe 2021 series of exercises, Korom said.

Hungary military
Photo: MTI

V4 Festival to be held end-June

Hungary festival V4

The VéNégy Festival featuring performers from the Visegrád Group is scheduled to be held between June 24 and 27 in Nagymaros, northern Hungary, organisers said on Wednesday.

The festival will see performances from Hungarian bands Halott Pénz, Punnany Massif and Bori Péterffy and the Love Band, among others. Austrian punk-metal band Russkaja will also perform, besides groups from the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia, they said.

The theatre tent will offer a workshop for V4 theatre professionals ahead of the festival, and will host a

colourful medley of performances from the four countries.

Other programmes will include street performances, sports opportunities and gastro programmes, the organisers said.

Should pandemic regulations not allow the festival to open in June, it will be pushed back to August 4-8, the organisers said in a statement to MTI.

Which countries do most Hungarians decide to move back home from?

airport

Fortunately, for the past couple of years, the tendency that many Hungarians have moved abroad seems to have slowed down. In fact, according to the most recent data of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), more Hungarians have returned from foreign countries than people moved away.

Portfolio reported that there has been a tendency not just about fewer and fewer Hungarians moving away from their home country, but rather that more Hungarians have moved back home than to any countries around the world. However, the statistics behave strangely in some areas, as well as having an unexpected result of where those Hungarians have come home from.

According to KSH’s data, 19,300 Hungarians have moved away, but luckily, 23,100 people have moved back to their home country.

That is a significant difference, and it is safe to say that it reflects a slight change in emigration tendencies. What is even better is that there has been no emigration below 20,000 since 2012.

Kivándorlási Statisztika
Data: Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH)

Although, the number of people coming back to Hungary seems to have reached a halt. According to Portfolio, the number of returning people has not changed considerably. It is also important to note that it appears that more and more Hungarians prefer closer destinations.

Before 2018, the most popular destination was Germany. Since then, Austria has taken that place probably because they have more options due to the closeness and travel is more accessible as well as less expensive.

Last year, 7,200 Hungarian have moved to Austria, which is a slight decrease in numbers compared to the year prior. The change, however, is somewhat noticeable in Hungarians moving to Germany and the UK, which dropped by almost 1,000 people. Portfolio highlights that Brexit was a huge dealbreaker, as people who would like to go there must undergo a much stricter process to receive a work permit since January 2020.

Last year, contrary to what was expected, more people had come home from Austria than from other countries. The Brexit did not end up launching an enormous wave of Hungarians moving back to their birthplace as was expected.

This date change can also be attributed to last year’s coronavirus outbreak, as many people have moved even within the country in fear of complete curfew. Since airports were closed down and regulated quite early, only people with more mobility could do that.

There is another strange thing that Portfolio highlights. The discrepancy between Hungarian and other countries’ data on Hungarian citizens’ movements. According to KSH, 5,250 Hungarians moved to Germany last year, while the German statistical office registered 13,670. A similar discrepancy can be seen in the case of the UK and the case of Austria as well.

Looking at the Austrian data, KSH says that 600 more people have moved back to Hungary than away, but the data from the Austrian statistical office shows an increase of 4,000.

What might cause this anomaly? Portfolio says that the main difference comes from how the data is registered.

The Hungarian statistical office only considers people moving away who terminate their Hungarian address(es). The foreign data, however, registers how many new citizens or address request there are.

This means that, especially in the case of people moving to Austria, many people keep their Hungarian residency as well, so that they have somewhere to travel back to. We will only see later how the bounce-back of the tourism industry changes emigration tendencies, however.

coronavirus cases hospital doctor
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The re-ignition of economies might turn into a struggle for guest labour

Guest Worker Labour Workforce Shortage Vendégmunkás labour market

According to some statistics, in the past five to six years, the number of guest workers working in Hungary have significantly grown, In some sectors, guest workers were the only viable option instead of shutting down. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic that struck the world unprepared, many guest workers were stuck in their own countries unable to work. But as countries are reopening and the economy is starting to swing back up, a huge competition for workforce is expected.

There is the general belief among working people that guest workers take the job from Hungarians, but that is simply not true. It is quite the opposite. There have been entire sectors where the labour shortage was such a serious issue, that its operation was endangered, says Piacesprofit. There is nothing wrong with guest labour, but it should be adequately controlled and entirely transparent.

Csongor Juhász, the executive director of Prohuman, Hungary’s largest HR provider said that the current upsurge of labour is just the surface. He says that many people who have changed professions from services and the catering industry will, with the reopening of the country, go back to their original professions and in turn that will cause another labour shortage in some sectors.

There are already not enough workforce in sectors like the food industry, processing industry and in some commercial areas.

The above-mentioned re-distribution of the workforce will effect these sectors more severely and according to the professionals at Prohuman, that will cause a huge competition between Hungary and the surrounding countries looking for guest labour. In the Czech Republic, about 15% of the labour force are guest workers.

Csongor Juhász said to Piacesprofit, that Hungary is behind other countries in the labour competition.

It has to compete for non-EU guest labour with countries such as Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Croatia and Slovakia. The executive director added that Hungary is in a disadvantageous position due to several factors;

naturally, Western European countries have a better chance of obtaining guest labour due to the higher wages, but other Central and Eastern European countries also have an upper hand. Most guest workers can communicate in those countries in their mother tongues much more easily. The language is a huge barrier for guest workers coming to Hungary.

Another limiting factor is the travel. The authorities in charge have to balance between the proper monitoring of guest workers, in particular to the still ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but must also satisfy the labour need of affected sectors.

The monitoring should not bottleneck the flow of labour, but it must also ensure that there is as few cases of illegal workers as possible, all this while complying to the measures of the coronavirus pandemic.

If the flow of labour stops for a substantial amount of time, then companies might close their businesses and move to another country.

If this would happen to the car industry and processing industry – which are both major contributors to Hungarian economy –, then Hungary might face severe consequences.

NOVÁK Katalin
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Michelin-starred chef to open restaurant in Budapest

wolfgang puck chef

The restaurant, the first of its kind in Europe, will open inside Matild Palace, a recently renovated architectural jewel of the capital.

According to HelloMagyar, world-famous chef Wolfgang Puck is bringing the best of California to Budapest. Founder of the Beverly Hills restaurant Spago, which has been awarded two Michelin stars, has established over 100 localities in the world, ranging from fine dining to fast-casual. Spago is the name of his flagship restaurants, found in Las Vegas, Istanbul, Maui and Singapore, in addition to, of course, the original in Los Angeles. So that is quite an impressive list of locations that Budapest will be joining. The gastronomic offerings of the new restaurant are expected to be rather unique: the menu is described as

a blend of the Californian cuisine Puck is famous for and traditional Hungarian gastronomy.

Puck has also stated that he is “counting on talented Hungarian chefs” and plans to use as many local ingredients as possible.

This will not be Puck’s only venture in Hungary. The Austrian-born chef has signed a strategic partnership deal with Matild Palace, and consequently, will also be responsible for a café called Matild Café & Cabaret and a rooftop bar named The Duchess, both located on-site.

matild palace hotel exterior
Matild Palace. Source: marriott.com

As the building, located near Ferenciek tere, is occupied by a soon-opening luxury hotel (also named Matild Palace), guests staying there will also get to enjoy Puck’s culinary expertise, as he will provide catering for all events held at the palace. Even those ordering off the room service menu will receive a dish thought up by the celebrity chef.

The hotel, the restaurant, and the rooftop bar will be open from early summer, the café from early autumn.

Puck, who began training as a chef at the age of 14, following his mother’s footsteps, honed his skills working at renowned restaurants in France and Monaco, including the triple Michelin-starred L’Oustau de Baumanière in Provence. He moved to the US when he was 24 and is still held in high regard there: in fact, he has been responsible for the gala dinners served at the Academy Awards for 27 years.

street-view-building-budapest
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How to travel to Hungary’s neighbouring countries

In case you already got your immunity certificate, you can profit from certain advantages when travelling to a neighbouring country of Hungary and when returning.

As all countries are trying to boost their vaccination programme to return to normality and have a relatively free summer, some of them already grant certain advantages and easement to those possessing the holy certificate. Here is a comprehensive guide to crossing the Hungarian border and to know what to prepare for in these neighbouring countries.

First of all, even if you do not have a social security card (TAJ), you can still be vaccinated in Hungary.

It is very important to note that

the rules of the immunity certificate and how to obtain it have changed!

Now, let us focus on the rules and exceptions when crossing the Hungarian border to go to a neighbouring country, summed up by index.hu.

If you wish to travel to Romania, get ready for quarantine. Usually, it is 14 days, but if you have a PCR test that you are obligated to do in 72 hours anyway before entering the country, lockdown decreases to 10 days. You do not need a PCR in 4 cases:

  • kids under the age of 3,
  • those who received their second jab at least 10 days earlier
  • those who suffered through the virus at least 90 days before entering the country and can officially prove it
  •  commuting workers.

You do not need to go to quarantine in the following cases:

  • you travel through the country and spend less than 24 hours and do not show any symptoms
  • those who spend less than 72 hours in the country and have done a PCR maximum 72 hours earlier
  • those who already had covid at least 14 days earlier but not earlier than 90 days.

In case of a special occasion (funeral, getting married, childbirth or emergency medical appointment), you will need to submit a request in advance to avoid quarantine.

Based on the latest news, a bilateral agreement is to be signed between the two governments in days, which might enable Hungarian, Romanian citizens having an immunity certificate to travel free between the two countries.

Ukraine does not take any chances. You need a PCR test conducted 72 hours before your entry into the country, together with a certificate stating the objective of your travel and an insurance covering a possible covid treatment you may need in the territory of the country, and you also need to download a “stay at home” quarantine monitoring application. In case you deny all these above, a 14-day-long quarantine awaits, but you are still obligated to get a test in 24 hours. If negative, you are free to go.
Of course, in case of a special occasion, like a funeral or a business trip, you can skip quarantine with the appropriate documents. However, border control officials will decide whether they grant or deny entry to the country.

Slovakia also plays safe and sends you to quarantine for 14 days, even if you have the immunity certificate.

The only exceptions are:

  • at least 14 days have passed since you received the second dose of an mRNA-based vaccine
  • more than 4 weeks have passed since receiving the first dose of a vector vaccine
  • at least 14 days have passed since receiving the first jab of a vaccine, after having been through covid
  • in case you have been through covid in the last 180 days, and you can prove it.

You can enter without a test, but you are obligated to take one 8 days later. Commuters and students will need a negative PCR or antigen test from the past 7 days. On the other hand, those travelling through the country, cargo shippers and diplomats are not required to have a test.

Slovenia is free for those Hungarian citizens who have the immunity certificate, thanks to the two countries’ bilateral agreement.
Those, however, who do not have the plastic card will need to spend 10 days in quarantine, except for the possession of a negative PCR test taken a maximum of 48 hours earlier. (The test needs to be taken in an EU or Schengen country, USA, UK, Australia, Israel, Canada, Russia, New-Zealand)
Quarantine is also ruled out for those:

  • who have been through the virus between the past 21 and 180 days
  • who have been vaccinated at least 14 days earlier with the second jab of the Moderna, Sputnik V, CoronaVac, Sinopharm, or with the Janssen vaccine
  • who got the first shot of the AstraZeneca or the Covishield at least 21 days prior
  • who were completely vaccinated by the Pfizer serum at least a week earlier.

Commuters will need a PCR or a quick antigen test from the past 7 days. The same rules apply to special occasions when you return in 72 hours.

Serbia welcomes those Hungarians who were fully vaccinated and have the immunity certificate. Arriving from Hungary, you either need a negative PCR test from the last 48 hours, or else you are subjected to 10 days in quarantine. This, however, can be skipped with a test taken in Serbia.
In case you would travel for business, you do not need a test, but you have to notify authorities 24 hours prior with a written request submitted to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Serbia.
Children under the age of 12 do not need a test in case you have a negative one or a temporary or permanent residence permit. The same applies to agricultural and humanitarian workers.

Austria is much stricter. You will need a negative PCR not older than 72 hours or a negative antigen test not older than 48 hours. The country still obligates you to a 10-day-long quarantine that can be left the earliest 5 days later with a negative test in your pocket.
When it comes to students, commuters, anyone wishing to visit a family member, or if you travel for business reasons, you will still need a test.
Restrictions are only lifted in case of:

  • an unforeseen or urgent family matter (serious sickness, death, funeral, childbirth)
  • a family matter than can be previously planned (birthday, marriage, baptism)
  • agricultural work or animal care
  • maintaining the traffic of passengers and cargo.

Commuters need to re-register every 28 days apart from needing a negative test 72 before entering. It can also be taken in Austria in the next 24 hours.

And finally, the most awaited country, Croatia. They are earnestly waiting to welcome Hungarian tourists. If you travel from Hungary, you will need a negative PCR or antigen test from the last 48 hours. You can also take the test in Croatia, but in this case, you will need to register the place where you start your quarantine. If you do not test, a 10-day-long quarantine is mandatory. These restrictions stay in effect even if you only travel for some days for personal matters.
No restrictions apply for those who:

  • received the first dose of the vaccine
  • have the immunity certificate
  • have been through covid the past 180 days and can prove it with a positive test taken at least 11 days before travelling.

Those provenly travelling for emergency business purposes do not need a test. This exception involves students, health care workers, paramedics, daily commuters, cargo shippers, or those travelling to attend a funeral or an emergency medical treatment.
However, everyone needs to give a statement on the length of their staying, including the address they will stay at, in case we talk about several days.

As seen above, the immunity certificate is a very useful plastic card. Nevertheless, trying to trick the authorities with a fake certificate is not worth it at all.

Here is what you can expect if you do so against our warning and get caught.

employee mask covid coronavirus
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Austria to buy Sputnik V vaccine after EMA approval

sputnik-v-russia

Austria will only buy Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine if the European Medicines Agency approves it, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s office said on Tuesday, further clarifying its position on the planned purchase.

Facing public frustration at a slow vaccine roll-out, Kurz said on March 31 Austria would probably order a million Sputnik V doses within a week, but completion of that order still has yet to be announced.

It would be the first by a western European country. Hungary and Slovakia are the only European Union countries to have bought Sputnik V, and only Hungary has used it so far. Kurz clarified on April 19 that Austria would await EMA approval before using it.

“As far as the contract negotiations are concerned, they have been completed, so we do not see that as the big challenge but rather the decisive factor is simply how long EMA needs for approval here,” Kurz told a news conference with his Slovak counterpart Eduard Heger.

Heger took office last month after his predecessor Igor Matovic was forced out by a political scandal sparked by Matovic’s surprise purchase of Sputnik V.

A spokesman for Kurz’s office added: “EMA approval is a prerequisite for the purchase. The contract will also be based on that.”

EMA’s decision is expected in May or June.

Peer-reviewed late-stage trial results published in The Lancet medical journal showed Sputnik V was almost 92% effective.

Many European officials, however, question Russia’s intentions in exporting it when it has yet to vaccinate most of its own population.

Brazil’s health regulator on Monday rejected Sputnik V after staff highlighted “inherent risks” and “serious” defects, citing lack of information guaranteeing its safety, quality and effectiveness.

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