Hungary: Movement restrictions implemented March 28 /update 3

Event

On Friday, March 27, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced a two-week nationwide lockdown effective Saturday, March 28, to prevent further spread of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Restrictions are therefore expected to last until Saturday, April 11. Individuals will only be able to leave their homes for essential needs, limited exercise, and work-related reasons. All educational institutions and shops except for food stores, pharmacies, petrol stations, and drug stores remain closed. Restaurants may offer takeout service. Between 09:00 and 12:00 (local time), only people over 65 will be granted priority access to groceries, drugstores, and pharmacies. Anyone violating the restriction will face a fine up to approximately EUR 1400.

On Monday, March 16, Prime Minister Viktor Orban previously announced that Hungary will close its borders to foreign travelers. Hungarian nationals will still be allowed to cross the frontier.

As of March 27, there are 300 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hungary, including ten associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected over the coming days and weeks.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.