Speaking about the government’s comprehensive plan to protect jobs from the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic, Sándor Bodó, State Secretary for Employment at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, said that “the wage support program has been extended, and the number of recipients is growing week by week.” Bodó confirmed that if part-time employment drops below 50 percent, government support could top HUF 100,000 HUF per month.
“It’s not just small and medium-sized enterprises, but large businesses are also participating in the program,” the state secretary said, adding that one company, for example, requested HUF 100 million of support for 730 out of its 744 employees, meaning more than HUF 135,000 per person.
“Decisions about further job creation programs will be made in the close future,” Bodó concluded.
According to Chief Medical Officer Cecília Müller, recent COVID-19 figures in Hungary are “favorable,” as only 28 newly confirmed cases were encountered in the previous 24 hours. Meanwhile, only five people passed away due to the virus.
The CMO called parents’ attention to the fact that they must only bring healthy children to daycare facilities. It’s important, Müller continued, to teach personal hygiene to kids as early as possible.
Responding to a question, Müller said that while a second wave of infections is likely, we cannot be sure that the SARS-COV2 will return. “The virus didn’t go away; it’s still among us, and we need to act very carefully,” Müller said.
Addressing additional shipments of protective gear, Lieutenant Colonel of the Police Róbert Kiss said that on Tuesday, shipments arrived at 37 locations, primarily hospitals.
Meanwhile, two additional border-crossing stations have been reopened with Austria at Alsószölnök and Jánossomorja. Kiss said that the number of those who have volunteered for electronic supervision while in home quarantine is now above 700. Altogether, there are 11,053 cases of compulsory home quarantine in effect.