Orban to Decide on Easing Budapest Lockdown on Saturday

(Bloomberg) -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he will decide on Saturday whether to ease restrictions for Budapest after the coronavirus’s first wave appeared to plateau earlier this month.

The basis for easing in Budapest are there but authorities must proceed carefully because a wrong decision is difficult to correct in a big city, Orban told state radio on Friday. The government has approved lifting further restrictions in the countryside, including for the operation of hotels and restaurants but is urging everyone to respect social distancing and wear masks indoors.

“The responsible behavior is no longer to stay at home but social distancing and the wearing of protective gear,” Orban said.

Hungary may return to its pre-pandemic economic growth track from June after what’s projected to be “horrible” April industrial data and somewhat better statistics in May, Orban said.

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