From 11.00 p.m. Tuesday, the rules of entry into Romania from Hungary have changed; those arriving in the country are required to retire to quarantine for 14 days, the deputy head of the duty centre of the Operational Group responsible for the fight against the coronavirus epidemic said at an online press conference held on Wednesday.
Lt. Colonel Róbert Kiss said the latest rules do not apply to those commuting between the two countries, to entry for the purposes of international cargo traffic and transit, or to entry for business purposes. The new rules likewise do not apply to those who only stay in Romania for 72 hours and have the negative result of a coronavirus test performed less than 48 hours before entry.
He added that release from quarantine can be requested on the tenth day, at the earliest, a condition of which is the negative result of a coronavirus test performed on the eighth day of quarantine. Another condition is that the person does not display symptoms of coronavirus infection.
Mr Kiss reported that on Tuesday the police took action in 69 instances due to the disruption of public services and the violation of protective measures on the premises of commercial outlets and public institutions.
He said in 28 instances they took action due to the non-wearing or incorrect wearing of face masks on public transport, including 25 cautions and three onsite fines. Due to the violation of the protective measures in effect on the premises of shops and public institutions, the police took action in 41 cases, including 36 cautions, one onsite fine and four prosecutions.
Since the entry into force of the government decree on the protective measures of the state of disease control preparedness on 21 September, the police have taken action in 904 instances due to the violation of the protective measures laid down in the legislation, he said.
Mr Kiss also said on Tuesday the police were required to take action in 45 instances due to the violation of the rules relating to transit through the territory of the country. He recalled that as part of their patrolling services, the police check compliance with the rules relating to dance and music events and the restricted opening hours of catering establishments. He said on Tuesday they observed five breaches in connection with the restricted opening hours of catering establishments.
He further reported that on Tuesday 3,023 compulsory home quarantine orders were issued, including 350 in the case of persons entering the territory of the country. At present, 20,319 persons are in compulsory home quarantine. On Tuesday, the police checked compliance with the quarantine regulations in 8,585 instances. At present, 1,014 persons are using the mobile phone application for the electronic monitoring of quarantine.
Regarding border traffic, the Lt. Colonel said in incoming cargo traffic there is a three-hour wait at the Röszke motorway border crossing station and Tompa and a two-hour wait at the Csanádpalota motorway border crossing station. In passenger traffic, those intending to enter Hungary should expect a two-hour wait at Záhony and Beregsurány.