Gergely Gulyás, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, said the Hungarian government views local councils as partners in the fight against the novel coronavirus.
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony and Károly Szita, the mayor of the city of Kaposvár and head of the association of cities with county rights, had attended Wednesday’s government meeting where responses to the novel coronavirus epidemic were discussed.
“Against all reports to the contrary … the government views local councils as partners … especially in the protection efforts against the novel coronavirus,” Gulyás said. Cooperation with local councils is necessary for the efforts to be effective, he added.
According to MTI, Gulyás noted that the government-imposed curfew would expire on Saturday, that is why it was necessary to talk to the mayor of Budapest and the association of cities. He added that both partners had been “constructive” in the meeting.
The minister said political controversies were not timely and called for a cooperation irrespective of differences in opinion to successfully combat the epidemic. Meanwhile, Karácsony said the epidemic warrants nationwide cooperation.
A call center set up for advice on the coronavirus can be reached on +36-80-277-455 and +36-80-277-456 or by email koronavirus@bm.gov.hu