Patio rents will be waived by almost 100% to increase public space use, and rent discounts will be continued.

Deputy mayors Erzsébet Gy. Németh and Ambrus Kiss told a press conference that the city council plans to help with obtaining terraces, to simplify applications, and to speed up administrative processes.

Németh said the package was preceded by consultations with representatives of the sector, and these meetings will be ongoing.

The city leadership wants to respond flexibly to professional feedback, while guaranteeing safety, she added.

Since the virus will not go away, life will take place on the streets and squares of the capital for a while, Németh said.

She said the city leaders agreed that “it is important for the preservation of our safety and health that we can meet not in closed places, but in open spaces”.

A help desk will provide information on current legislation and regulations for event organisers, and a so-called event fund will also be set up to support the sector.

As the re-opening is conditional on the number of vaccinated people, the city will launch an information campaign.

Photo courtesy of Northfoto.com