This is how the tightened restrictions will change our lives

From March 8, Hungary will close down again due to the heightened third wave of the pandemic and ever-deteriorating statistical data. Kindergartens and elementary schools will be closed until April 7, and only vendors selling vital goods will be open until March 22. So, what kind of life can we expect in the coming weeks? 

• BREAKING! Hungary closes down for two weeks to curb Covid spread

Index tried to answer this question based on some key aspects:

Where can I go shopping?

All non-essential shops will be closed from Monday for two weeks, that is, until March 22. Exceptions include grocery stores, pharmacies, drugstores, and gas stations.

How does this affect education?

According to the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, kindergartens and primary schools are to close until April 7th. This means 3 weeks plus the spring break.

In secondary schools and universities, education continues in a digital format.

What about services?

What we see at this point is that all services must be suspended, except for private healthcare.

What about walking, hiking, and other outdoor activities?

Parks and arboretums will continue to be open, so outdoor sports will remain a possibility. However, safety regulations, such as the use of a mask and a safe distance of one and a half metres while walking, hiking, running, or cycling, must be observed.

The use of masks outdoors is mandatory everywhere!

Are we back to full-time home office?

Work is allowed to continue, but where possible, home office facilities should be provided.

Will FFP2-type masks be mandatory?

Rumours have been going around saying that security provisions similar to those in Slovakia could come in force, including the wearing of a mandatory FFP2 category mask in stores, as well as in all enclosed spaces. This has not been confirmed yet.

Are border crossings tightened as well?

In the case of passenger traffic, yes. However, there will be no tightening on transit and freight traffic. The details of the further restrictions on passenger traffic have not yet been clarified.

What are the open questions?

The opening/closing of banks, post offices, churches, and tobacco shops, as well as the closure of crèches has not been addressed yet. Existing wage subsidies for the hotel and catering industry will be extended to all sectors that now need to close.

The detailed regulation will probably be published in the Hungarian Gazette (Magyar Közlöny), which will come out around midnight.

Read alsoDark day: number of new infections and deaths reaches 2021 peak in Hungary

Source: www.index.hu