Extended Restrictions, Vaccination Neutral COVID-19 Inoculation Certificate, Stricter Travel Bans
On February 27, 2021, additional COVID-19 related legislative changes were published in Magyar Közlöny, the official Hungarian Gazette.
Under Government Decree No. 85/2021. (II. 27.) on the Amendments to Government Decree No. 484/2020 (XI.10.) on the Second Phase of Protective Measures Applicable During the Period of State of Emergency, protective measures, such as curfew restrictions between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., mandatory mask use, general ban on public and private events, limited store opening hours, educational institution related protective and closure rules, and free parking in public areas will remain in force for an additional two weeks until March 16, 2021.
The Government also amended Government Decree No. 60 of 2021 (II.12.) on the certification of protection against the coronavirus, according to which the type of and the origin of the Corona virus vaccination will not be indicated in the document certifying an individual’s vaccination and its date. Vaccination certificates will be automatically mailed to those receiving inoculation on or after March 1, 2021.
In Government Decree No. 88 of 2021 (II. 27.) amending Government Decree No. 408 of 2020 (VIII.30.) on travel restrictions during the epidemiological preparedness period, the Government further strengthened foreign travel to Hungary. Hungarian citizens may enter the territory of Hungary after leaving Hungary for business purposes according to the general entry rules for Hungarian citizens, meaning 10 days quarantine, or 2 negative PCR tests.
The following cases are exceptions to the above provision. Departure of Hungarian citizens from Hungary for economic or business purposes:
- to the Member States of the European Union;
- to the States of the European Economic Area;
- to a State having the same status as a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area in respect of the right of free movement and residence under an international agreement concluded between the European Community and its Member States and a State not party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area;
- to a candidate country for membership of the European Union;
- to the United Kingdom; or
- to a State specified in the Decree of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade No. 4 of 2021 on states for economic and business travel during the epidemiological preparedness period (hereinafter: “MFAT Decree”).
The states specified in the MFAT Decree are the following:
a.) United States of America;
b.) Bahrain;
c.) United Arab Emirates;
d.) the Republic of India;
e.) the Republic of Indonesia;
f.) the State of Israel;
g.) Japan;
h.) People’s Republic of China;
i.) the Republic of Korea;
j.) the Russian Federation;
k.) Singapore;
l.) the Republic of Turkey; and
m.) Ukraine.
The MFAT Decree became effective at 9:00 pm on March 1, 2021.
In the above exceptional cases, if the purpose of the trip is an economic or business activity, the fact of which is confirmed by the Hungarian citizen when returning to Hungary, the Hungarian citizen may enter the territory of Hungary without restrictions.
In case of doubt as to the authenticity of the certificate, the general procedure, such as 10 days quarantine, or 2 negative PCR tests will apply.
A non-Hungarian citizen may enter the territory of Hungary for economic or business purposes according to the general entry rules for non-Hungarian citizens, such as 10 days quarantine, or 2 negative PCT tests.
The following cases are exceptions to the above provision. In case of business entry into Hungary, the non-Hungarian citizen:
- is a citizen of one of the states listed in the exceptions for Hungarian citizens (see above 1-6); or
- is entitled to stay in one of those States for more than 90 days.
When the purpose of entry of a non-Hungarian citizen into Hungary is an economic or business activity and the person certifies this upon entering the territory of Hungary, the non-Hungarian citizen may enter the territory of Hungary without any restriction.
In case of doubt as to the authenticity of the certificate, the general procedure, such as 10 days quarantine, or 2 negative PCR tests will apply.