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Coronavirus Update: New regulations concerning package deliveries and emergency public procurements

According to the latest ordinances published in the Hungarian Gazette, new regulations have been introduced in relation to package delivery services and out-of-store commerce, and also public procurements.

During the state of emergency, out-of-store business activities aimed at supplying the population may be performed according to contract without compulsory reporting and registration in the case of catering industry businesses and shops that distribute daily consumer goods.

These activities may now also be performed in accordance to the conditions set down in that contract by catering industry businesses and shops that distribute daily consumer goods.

During the state of emergency, package delivery commerce aimed at supplying the population may also be performed without compulsory reporting and registration. However, during the course of commercial activities that are not registered and reported, no trips or events may be organized for the purposes of product demonstration.

Food may also be distributed within the framework of out-of-store commercial activities. According to the new regulations, only daily consumer goods and products sold within the framework of catering services may be distributed in this manner.

The regulation also states that a financial commitment concerning expenses relating to the state of emergency that are deemed necessary by the member of the government responsible for responding to the emergency or any person he/she authorises do so, may be undertaken without the need for a preliminary financial countersignature. The provision of the financial countersignature may also occur following the commitment, depending on the auditing of the results of the commitment, but no later than 30 days following the end of the state of emergency.

In accordance with the new regulations, if the sum of the financial commitment exceeds HUF 100 million, the individual taking on that commitment must inform the Minister responsible for public finances.

The regulation also includes the fact that contracting authorities may derogate from public procurement regulations in the case of public procurements relating to protecting against the coronavirus epidemic. The regularity of public procurements relating to protecting against the coronavirus epidemic will be reviewed retrospectively by the Minister responsible for public finances.

The procurement procedure for public procurements relating to protecting against the coronavirus epidemic may not be applied in the case of European Union development funding.

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