Coronavirus in Budapest, Hungary

By budapest

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Oct 01, 2020 Update

We Asked: What is currently happening with regard to the Coronavirus outbreak in your area? Please provide as much detail as possible. She replied...

The government is taking the correct stance. They do not and as Viktor Orban said, will not lock down the country again. So for a few weeks the border is closed with exceptions, to commercial business, neccessary business travel, sport and cultural travel. Only certain countries can travel to Hungary. Hungarians are respecting the rules. Corporations have to take care of their own rules and employees. Masks are worn in all public areas. Business as usual except for a few weeks Bars, clubs and restaurants have to close at 11:00 pm.

How People are Coping

We Asked: How are people handling the situation in your area? She replied...

Well, Budapest relies on tourism and the tourist and hospitality industry was booming in the last few years. Now it is extremely sad to witness many businessess having to close due to the lack of tourists and international conventions etc. The government and Hungarians are trying to support small businesses but it is not enough. Yes it is devastating to Hungary all over the country

Government Response

We Asked: Describe how the government of the country about which you are reporting is handling this situation. She replied...

Yes the Orban government has been handling the pandemic very well . In fact we are one of the luckiest countries in Europe without so many crazy rules and restrictions.

Supplies and Shortages

We Asked: Is there a shortage of supplies in your location? She replied...

None but prices have increased.

Travel Restrictions and Related COVID-19 Testing

We Asked: Are non-citizens allowed to travel to your country? Describe travel restrictions, COVID-19 testing requirements and any details about traveling into your country. She replied...

Yes Non citizens can travel for the purpose of business, sport and cultural events Yes testing is mandatory , either bringing the tests results with you or taking it in Hungary. Quarentine for 10 days if tests are positve and then testing again.

Health Insurance Requirements

We Asked: Is health insurance required when traveling into the country? Is it required when applying for residency? Is this a new requirement since COVID-19? Describe the health insurance requirement. She replied...

Yes health insurance has always been required and especially when applying for residency.

COVID-19 Testing

We Asked: How easy or difficult is it to get a COVID-19 test locally? Where can you get tested? Do you need to have symptoms or a prescription from a doctor? Describe the process. She replied...

Yes testing is available to anyone in many private clinics for 19,000 forints , approximately 52 euros. The public health care doctors will order a test if you go the local doctor or hospital but this is a longer wait time. I had a test in a private clinic, it was efficient and results are within 24 hours.

Public Healthcare & Public Hospitals

We Asked: Are you enrolled in the public healthcare system where you live? Do you feel that the public hospitals are handling or preparing for the Coronavirus outbreak effectively? She replied...

Yes I use the public and private health care depending on my needs. The government seems to be prepared for a second wave in case it gets bad.

Private Health Insurance & Private Hospitals

We Asked: Do you have private health insurance? If you have private insurance, does this give you access to private hospitals? Are private hospitals or clinics better prepared, less prepared, or the same? Please explain. She replied...

I did have private health insurance the first year I arrived to Budapest. Now I just utilize the private health care clinics according to my needs. They are excellent .

Hospital of Choice for Coronavirus Treatment

We Asked: Would you choose a public or private hospital if you needed treatment for Coronavirus? Why? If there is a specific hospital that you would go to in the event of severe illness? Which hospital and why? She replied...

I am not experinced enough to answer this question about hospitals. Fortunately I have not had any bad experience when I was in the hospital once in Budapest .

Residency & Visa

We Asked: Are new residency applications being processed? Have there been any changes or extensions made in terms of residency and other visa renewals? She replied...

Not sure.

Future Outlook

We Asked: Are you considering returning to your home country due to the Coronavirus? Would this be a temporary move or a permanent repatriation? Please explain. She replied...

My husband and I travelled by car this summer to Croatia from Hungary, We were not afraid our holiday went well and we can hardly wait to travel more freely again, athough I am not sure I am keen to get on a plane so quickly until the airlines come up with a better air clean filtering system. We do not have any family left in Toronto so thankfully we have no intention to travel to North America.

Other Thoughts

We Asked: Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share? She replied...

Travel and Tourism is the most important in many peoples lives and supports a country ecconomicaly, the world and especially airlines must work to bring back travel safely.