So far as many as 880,000 persons have already completed the national consultation questionnaire about the coronavirus and the restarting of the economy, which leads to the conclusion that the people believe that these questions are important and concern their everyday lives, Government Spokesperson Alexandra Szentkirályi said at a press conference held on Friday in Budapest.
She stressed that the national consultation is necessary because the government would like to create points of understanding which could serve as robust foundations in a possible later stage of the fight against the epidemic.
The government spokesperson encouraged everyone to complete the questionnaire, in order to enable the government to adopt rules which most people agree, identify and so comply with.
Ms. Szentkirályi pointed out that, from the viewpoint of the fight against the coronavirus, Hungary is among the most successful and most effective countries. This is thanks to the fact that they were able to adopt the necessary measures swiftly and effectively, and the Hungarian people were partners in these efforts.
They would like this tendency – the flat epidemic curve – to continue also in the future; however, for this we need to keep the virus outside the borders, she stressed.
She added that therefore the government has put in place a set of clear and transparent rules, having classified countries into red, yellow and green categories, based on EU ratings, infection indicators, prevailing trends and the risk of introducing the virus from one country or another to Hungary.
The government spokesperson confirmed that the situation in Hungary is favourable as the number of new infections is low and few people are dying of the disease; however, the epidemic has surged both within and outside Europe.
In some EU Member States and in neighbouring countries, including Ukraine case numbers are rising, and several states, including Austria have tightened their disease control measures or are about to, she said.
She drew attention to the fact that throughout the world 15.5 million cases of infection have been confirmed, while the number of fatalities is now above 630,000. At the same time, in the past few days there has been a rise of 220,000 to 240,000 in the number of new infections, and the number of fatalities is also increasing.
Ms. Szentkirályi therefore warned that while the virus has been with us for many long months and “we are beginning to get used to the situation,” there is still no vaccine, and so we must observe the rules in effect in Hungary, including the compulsory wearing of face masks in shops and on public transport, the frequent washing of hands, and that we must pay special attention to the well-being of the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases.
It is still safest to spend the summer holidays here at home, and therefore it is well worth considering going on holiday in Hungary this year, she said.
Regarding the commencement of the school year, she confirmed that they are continuously monitoring the latest infection rates, but according to the government’s plans at this point in time, they are hoping to be able to start “a normal school year” in September.
In the context of a fake interview with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán published on the website hirklikk.hu associated with MSZP, Ms. Szentkirályi said it is shocking and disheartening at the same time that news portals which spread fake news and publish “fake interviews” can still function.
The Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister is looking into possible action to be taken against the portal, and they have called on the portal to remove the fake interview, she said.
She drew attention to the fact that this is not the first such case as hirklikk.hu is “a fake news factory” which played a major role in spreading the “fake paramedic video made by the Left”.
“It is very sad and regrettable that in such hard times as during the coronavirus epidemic all the Left can do is spread fake news and fake videos, instead of standing for national unity,” she said.