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Effective from 1 May 2021, certain restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic are relaxed by the Government Decree No. 194/2021. (IV. 26.) on the third stage in the phasing out of protection measures to be applied in the event of an emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic (“Government Decree”). Many of the new measures follow on from the introduction of the so called ‘protection certificate’ for those who have received their Covid-19 vaccines or have been confirmed to have contracted the disease.
I. RULES ON THE PROTECTION CERTIFICATE
People who have received the first those of one of the Covid-19 vaccines hall receive their protection certificate automatically from the Hungarian State. The protection certificate is valid for an unlimited period.
People who have officially been confirmed to have contracted the disease by having a positive test taken at one of the official test sites of the Hungarian Government shall also receive their protection certificate automatically from the Hungarian State, however, such protection certificate is only valid for 6 months following the day of their recovery from the disease.
For a fee of HUF 11,000 people may also request an official antigen test and in case of a positive result (meaning that the person have already contracted the disease) for an additional fee of HUF 3,000 such people may also request a protection certificate valid for 4 months following its issuance.
Protection certificates are valid only together with an identity card with a picture on it (i.e. personal identification card or driving license), and the persons holding a protection certificate may be required to present such identity card together with their protection certificate. The verification of persons with protection certificates is the responsibility of the owners of the premises and / or the service providers.
II. MANDATORY MASK WEARING AND CURFEW
In order to protect those who have not yet been vaccinated, the use of masks in public places, public transport, shops, where not only vaccinated persons may be present, remain mandatory, and gatherings are still prohibited.
The beginning of the curfew changes from 11 pm to midnight. All business premises, shops and service providers are allowed to be open until 11 pm.
III. RULES ON CATERING PREMISES AND ACCOMODATION PROVIDERS
Following the re-opening of terraces and gardens of catering premises, the inner places of catering premises are also open to people with protection certificates, and minors under their supervision, who are not obliged to wear a mask in the interiors of catering premises during the period of consumption of the purchased food or drink and even while sitting at the table inside.
People with protection certificate and minors under their supervision are allowed to stay in hotels and are not obliged to wear a mask during their stay.
Family or private events, gatherings can be organized and held at an accommodation only if the number of people present does not exceed ten.
For employees of catering premises and accommodation providers the wearing of a mask is mandatory.
IV. RULES ON leisure facility and sporting events
Leisure facilities (i.e. zoos, museums, theaters, cinemas, libraries) can be visited by persons with protection certificate and minors under their supervision. People with protection certificates and certified athletes can also visit swimming pools, training and fitness rooms and sports facilities.
Sports and cultural events are open to persons with protection certificate and minors under their supervision until 11 pm and attendees are not obliged to wear a mask at these events.
Musical or dance events do not qualify as a cultural events, therefore, it is prohibited to organize or to be present at the venue of this kind of event.
For the employees of these facilities and events wearing a mask is mandatory.
V. RULES ON ECONOMIC PROTECTION MEASURES
Pursuant to Government Decree 204/2021. (IV.29.) effective from 1 May 2021 the wage subsidy and tax exemption previously introduced by the Hungarian Government in November (please find our earlier newsletter on the matter) in order to help businesses during the pandemic is extended until the end of the state of emergency.
In order to benefit from the prolongation of such measures, no separate application is needed with regard to the employee included in the application in case the employer submitted the application before 1 May 2021, and did not declare to the competent government office by 5 May 2021 that he/she does not wish to use such support.
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