Accessibility links

Breaking News

Hungary Sees Reopening Terraces, Shortening Of Curfew As Vaccinations Gain Momentum


Some
children returned to school in Hungary on April 19.
Some children returned to school in Hungary on April 19.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff says he expects the reopening of restaurant terraces and a shortening of a curfew at night from April 24 as the country's vaccination campaign allows for a further reopening of the economy.

Gergely Gulyas told a briefing on April 22 that 3.5 million Hungarians could be vaccinated against the coronavirus by April 23, which could rise to 4 million -- or around 40 percent of Hungary's population -- by early next week.

Hungary, whose economy has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic, began gradually reopening shops and services earlier this month after inoculating a quarter of its population in a move that the Hungarian Medical Chamber called premature.

Despite its vaccination campaign success, Hungary had struggled with a high infection and fatality rate until recently. The Central European country of 9.8 million has registered almost 761,000 infections and 26,000 deaths.

With reporting by Reuters
  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL

    RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG