Thanks to the public’s disciplined compliance with the government’s social distancing measures, the number of personal interactions across the country has fallen by 70-90% in the recent period, depending on the type of locality, László Palkovics said.

Until April 21, the number of daily new confirmed coronavirus cases only exceeded 100 on five occasions, he said.

Most Covid-19 cases have been registered in closed communities, he said, adding that Hungary had successfully avoided a nationwide pandemic during what he said was the country’s first phase of response measures.

But maintaining wide-ranging restrictions would take a toll on the economy in the long run, Palkovics said.

He said Hungary would enter its second phase of response measures in early May and would have to determine the conditions and schedule required for a safe and gradual easing of restrictions.

MTI Poto: Tibor Illyés