Speaking at today’s extraordinary Kormányinfo session on the new international travel restrictions to take effect starting September 1, Gergely Gulyás, the minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office, said that foreigners will only be allowed to enter Hungary “in the case that it is very necessary.”
“All other countries are now in the red category; Hungary is the only green one,” Gulyás said referring to Hungary’s green, yellow and red rating system currently in force.
This effectively means, the minister added, that although Hungarian nationals may, of course, leave the country, they will be required to take two negative coronavirus tests, with 48 hours between the tests, or stay in compulsory home quarantine for 14 days.
According to Minister Gulyás, the reason behind the move, which will stay in force for at least a month, is that most of the newly confirmed coronavirus cases in Hungary have originated from foreign countries. “We need to simultaneously protect the elderly, ensure a safe start of the school year and defend our jobs,” the minister said.
Responding to questions about the potential introduction of movement restrictions in Hungary, Gulyás said that the government does not deem such measures necessary at this point.