UPDATE 1-Hungary expects pandemic second wave to peak in Dec-Jan -PM Orban
BUDAPEST, Sept 16- Hungary will maintain border closures and mory in cineming of face masks mandatory in cinemas, theatres and social institutions to contain the spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday. Hungary closed its borders at the start of the month to combat the virus, only to subsequently exempt tourists visiting from three…
BUDAPEST, Sept 16 (Reuters) – Hungary will maintain border
closures and mory in
cineming of face masks mandatory in
cinemas, theatres and social institutions to contain the spread
of coronavirus, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday.
Orban said the second wave of the pandemic was expected topeak sometime around December or January, adding that hisgovernment had imposed a cap on the price of tests for COVID-19at 19,500 forints ($64.36) each.
“We have prepared our healthcare system. The necessaryequipment, hospital beds, ventilators and staff required tooperate them are at the ready,” Orban said in a Facebook video.
“Everyone can rest assured, if you contract this disease,you will be cured,” said Orban, whose government is walking atightrope as it seeks to keep restrictions as minimal aspossible to prevent further harm to the economy.
Hungary closed its borders at the start of the month tocombat the virus, only to subsequently exempt tourists visitingfrom three neighbouring states, prompting a rebuke from theEuropean Commission.
Schools will remain open, while restaurants and bars will beallowed to do business until 2300 CET (2100 GMT), Orban said, ashis government seeks to avoid another lockdown like that whichsent the economy into a 13.6% recession in the second quarter.
After a spike in new cases in recent weeks, Hungary reported581 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the totalnumber of infections to 14,460, with 654 deaths.
Orban said wearing face masks will be mandatory in cinemas,theatres and social institutions, as well as on public transportand in shops.
“I have instructed police to strictly control and enforcethese regulations and, if needed, penalise those found inbreach,” he said.
($1 = 303 forints)(Reporting by Gergely Szakacs and Krisztina Than; Editing byCatherine Evans)
