COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary

[10] On February 1, the spokesperson of National Command of Penalty Execution (BVOP) announced that prisoners of Debrecen and Sátoraljaújhely[11] had started the production of sanitary masks.

They produce 20 000 masks daily in a 12-hour shift, which are stored in different repositories all around the country,[12] and continually delivered to general practitioners.

Seven Hungarians living in Wuhan, who wanted to move back to Europe, were transported through France and placed in quarantine for two weeks.

[15] Due to the events and news connected to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in February 2020, several goods—such as antiseptic arm cleaning materials, masks and non-perishable food – were in short supply in a lot of shops in Hungary.

[16] Tamás Schanda, strategical and political under-secretary of Innovation and the Science Ministry said "The Government understands the concerns of the people, but experts say it is unnecessary and pointless to hoard non-perishable food.

"[17] The accumulation of goods declined quite quickly, and the detection of the virus in March did not cause measurable problems in shops.

He already visited his primary care physician and he was diagnosed with bacterial infection so that he didn't have to quarantine himself, and instead, he attended courses held in English with 16 other students.

[22] The other person studied at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Gödöllő, who after returning from Iran, went to a self-declared quarantine.

[34] On 12 March 2020, János Szlávik, head of Infectological Department of South Pest Center Hospital, confirmed that an Iranian citizen, held in quarantine, had recovered.

The newly diagnosed patients include people who had been to Italy, and a person whose family member had returned from Austria.

[39] On the same day, Sándor Szaniszló, the Mayor of Pestszentlőrinc-Pestszentimre announced the death of a patient at St Ladislaus Hospital who had been diagnosed with coronavirus.

[52][53][54][55][56][non-primary source needed] A job fair planned to be held between 18 and 19 March at the University of Technology and Economics was also postponed.

[57] The frequency of disinfection on Budapest public transport vehicles has increased, and the rule about using only the first door for boarding has been suspended, to decrease crowding.

[62] On 17 March, the Surgeon General announced that the National Safety Laboratory of National Health Security Center had successfully isolated COVID-19 from a Hungarian patient's sample, which it could use for researching vaccines from a Hungarian patient's sample, to be used for the researches and production of new vaccine in Hungary.

[68][69][non-primary source needed] On 19 March, Andrea Mager Minister without portfolio, responsible for National Wealth and the team led by her prepared and accepted recommendations which were the basis of economic decisions published next day.

The government implemented a curfew from midnight to 5 a.m., reintroduced the state of emergency, closed entertainment venues, further limited public events and tightened mask wearing rules.

The curfew was extended to 8 p.m., gatherings were limited, stores and hairdressers had to close by 7 p.m., restaurants were only allowed to offer meals to go, hotels were not allowed to receive tourist guests, events and amateur team sport were banned, recreational facilities and institutions such as gyms, swimming pools, theatres, museums, and zoos were closed.

[75] On 21 May 2021, Orban informed that the nation was going to lift the most remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including a night-time curfew, as soon as the number of those vaccinated reaches 5 million.

He also added that masks would no longer need to be worn in public, and gatherings of up to 500 people could be held in the open air.

"[79] Public gatherings in an enclosed space with more than 100 people were prohibited, sporting events that could attract more than 500 spectators must be held behind closed doors, and foreign exchange programs were suspended.

[80][81][82] The Ministry of Human Capacities recommended that schools suspend field trips, open-air classes, and exchange programs.

[83] On 13 March during a radio interview, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said kindergarten was also excluded since parents would have to guarantee children's supervision, and teachers would be required to take unpaid leave.

[85] On 16 March 2020, Prime Minister Orbán announced further restrictions, including ordering the cancellation of all events, and banning restaurants and cafes from operating beyond 3 pm.

[86] In spite of the notices issued by operational staff about responsible behaviour and moderation, a 30-year-old security guard shared fake news on YouTube regarding the pandemic.

[87] On 30 March 2020, the National Assembly passed an act 137–53 that made the state of emergency indefinite and allowed Prime Minister Orbán to rule by decree during it.

Without mentioning Hungary, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen advised that measures for controlling the pandemic should be "limited to what is necessary and strictly proportionate", and "not at the expense of our fundamental principles and values as set out in the treaties".

[95] On 30 April 2020, Viktor Orban's chief of staff Gergely Gulyás announced that Hungarian schools will remain closed to the end of May 2020, and events that feature more than 500 participants are banned until 15 August 2020.

[52][99] On 11 March 2020, pursuant to the state of emergency, Hungary barred entry into the country by foreign nationals via China, Iran, Italy and South Korea.

[103] Mihály Varga Minister of Finance said the government had to react to the real needs of the economy, and they were still waiting for the feedback from the trade and industry chamber.

One suggestion to resolve that issue was for "Russian and Chinese vaccine producers submit their products to the EMA for testing and authorization".