No masks for immunity certificate holders – Hungary continues to ease curbs

Hungary could have four million people vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 tomorrow, said Gulyás, adding that, as decided previously, the government will then decide how to proceed with the re-opening of the economy.

People with immunity certificates and their accompanying minors will no longer be required to wear face masks at cultural and sport events, said Gulyás.

There will be strict rules in place in respect of immunity certificates and even the Criminal Code will be amended. Tampering with immunity certificates will be considered aggravated forgery. Event organisers failing to check the presence of immunity certificates will be looking at a fine of 100,000 to 1 million forints or closure for up to one year.

As regards family gatherings, the current rules remain in effect. The minister noted that in the case of weddings, the rules are planned to be eased once there are five million vaccinated people, a milestone that should be reached by the third weekend of May.

Another decision conditional to five million inoculated people is related to summer camps and extra-curricular activities in schools in the afternoon.

A total of 4.176 million immunity certificates have been manufactured in Hungary up to date, 3.525 million for those that have been vaccinated and 651,000 for those that gained immunity via infection. 3.876 certificates have been mailed. Gulyás said 96 to 97% of the production and mailing of the certificates are going well, according to reports. Well, not that we want to split hairs, but the production/mailing ratio is 92.8%. Reports of unknown origin vs. actual figures.

Vaccine manufacturers have been updating their estimates as to how long the shots give immunity, and now they project 8 to 9 months instead of the previous 6. There are also favourable reports that some vaccines could provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 for up to 12-18 months.

Hungary will create a vaccine stockpiling strategy to make sure everyone receives a new booster shot a few months before their immunity would wear off, said Gulyás. He also ensured that shipments from the EU will leave Hungary with an ample volume of doses as a reserve.

The minister in charge of the PM’s Office also noted that it’s too early to draw any conclusion from the re-opening of terraces (of restaurants, bars and cafés) last Saturday, stressing that nearly all of the next easing measures at four million vaccinated people will be linked to immunity certificates.

When this milestone is reached, Hungarians with immunity certificates and foreign nationals with mutually accepted certificates will be able to enter Hungary without a mandatory quarantine.

So far, 4.5 to 4.6 million people have registered to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and although Hungarians’ willingness to get their jabs is rather high, the vaccination curve is likely to start to flatten shortly unless more people sign up for their shots.

Gulyás also said soccer fans with immunity certificates and foreign fans with negative PCR test may attend the Euro 2021 matches in the Puskás Arena in June where Hungary wants teams to perform in front of 67,000 people, i.e. a full house.

Each of the 11 UEFA EURO 2020 host cities will welcome fans back to the stadium for the matches this summer. However, only Budapest would use full capacity of its host stadium.

• Saint Petersburg and Baku have confirmed capacities of 50%.
• Budapest aims to host 100% of the stadium capacity, but with strict stadium entry requirements for spectators.
• Amsterdam, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Glasgow, Rome and Seville will be hosting 25%–33% of the stadium capacity.
• London has confirmed a minimum capacity of 25% for the first three group matches and round of 16 match.
• Munich aims to host a minimum of 14,500 spectators, corresponding to approximately 22% of the stadium capacity.