Record Number of new COVID-19 Cases

The number of confirmed people infected with the coronavirus in Hungary increased by a daily record of 1,070 cases and now stands at 17,990.

Eight patients died in the past 24 hours, bringing the number of deaths to 683 with 4,391 already recovered. The number of active infected people is 12,916. There are 404 patients with coronavirus in hospital care, 32 of them are on ventilators. The number of those in compulsory home quarantine – the length of which is reduced from 14 to ten days – is 25,583.

The government warns that it is still vital for everyone to maintain a distance of 1.5 meters and cover their face in shops and on public transport within Hungary.

From Monday, the wearing of face masks will be compulsory not only on public transport and in shops, but also in shopping centers, cinemas, theaters, museums, premises of libraries open to members of the public, health care and social institutions, as well as on public service and postal customer service premises.

The appropriate wearing of face masks means that they must cover both the mouth and the nose. Another important change is that people will be required to wear actual face masks, it will not be enough to cover their mouths with scarves or kerchiefs. The official fixed price of PCR tests and the restriction on events involving music and dancing as well as on the opening hours of catering establishments, clubs and bars – they will only be allowed to remain open until 11.00 p.m. – will also take effect from Monday. Naturally, the ban on events with an attendance of more than 500 will remain in force. Pursuant to the government’s decision, from October 1, regardless of age, anyone will have access to the vaccine against the flu free of charge.

Non-compliance with the obligation of wearing a face mask will result in more stringent sanctions. A person who refuses to wear a face mask could be removed from means of public transport and could be given a fine of up to HUF 50,000. Punishment could be even more severe if a person – in the absence of cooperation – disrupts public transport; in this case, police action could be initiated and the person could even expect a custodial sentence.