Hungary’s Anti-Migrant Orbán Keeps Borders Closed Amid Coronavirus
By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – Hungary’s fiercely anti-migration Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says his nation is facing “a second wave of coronavirus infections” and will keep its borders closed to most foreigners, despite European Union concerns about that decision.
“The virus comes from foreigners. Restrictions on entry imposed from September 1 will remain in place,” as part of a “war plan” against the virus, he explained in remarks monitored by Worthy News.
However, tourists from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland could still enter Hungary. The three countries and Hungary cooperate in their Visegrad Group, seen as East Europe’s equivalent of the Benelux formed by Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxemburg.
But the European Commission has warned Hungary, an EU member, not to discriminate against European citizens and coordinate its actions with Brussels.
Despite the controversy, Orbán even inaugurated a new bridge connecting Hungary with Slovakia. At the inauguration ceremony of the Monostor Bridge over the Danube river near Komárom, the prime minister said Thursday that the Danube now connects Hungary and Slovakia even more.
BUILDING BRIDGES
His Slovak counterpart Igor Matovič said he hopes “we will get to build many more bridges like this one.”
But there were little signs of celebration as the prime minister also announced more stringent measures to tackle the pandemic. Wearing a face mask will be made mandatory in public transport, cinemas, theatres, health and social institutions, and public offices.
A visiting ban for hospitals and retirement homes will also remain in place. That policy has led to emotional scenes with Hungarians barely able to visit their dying parents. Entertainment sites such as bars and nightclubs will have to close by 11 p.m. local time, Orbán confirmed.
And, the prime minister announced that from October 1, only teachers and students will be allowed into school buildings. But they will be required to undergo temperature screening upon entry.
Citing epidemiologists, the prime minister claimed that the pandemic’s ongoing “second wave” was due to a peak around December or January.
He warned that Hungary would continue border closures and other measures until then.
PROTECTING ELDERLY?
“We have a strategy that centers on protecting the elderly and treating those who are ill while making sure that the country can function,”
Orbán stressed. He also warned that police will more strictly monitor compliance with the rules and punish those who violate them.
Critics question his approach as authorities reported so far roughly 650 coronavirus related deaths on a population of 10 million. Orbán pledged to make at least 10,000 hospital beds available.
During the first wave of coronavirus, nearly 11,000 patients were forcibly removed from hospitals to make way for an expected influx of COVID-19 patients.
Most hospitals remained mainly empty, and at least some patients died due to that controversial policy, Worthy News established.
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