Since the end of August, the number of coronavirus infections has been on the rise again, and the second wave of the pandemic seems to have reached Hungary. Due to the spread COVID-19, in accordance with the measures adopted by the government, the Presidium of the Synod of the Reformed Church in Hungary issued an appeal to the congregations asking local churches to fully comply with the mandatory preventive measures of the Public Health Authorities and with the guidelines proposed in the appeal itself. In the meantime, the Hungarian government has decided to close borders to foreigners starting on September 1, re-introducing the border protection measures in force during the first wave of the coronavirus epidemic.
Masks remain mandatory at church services. Disinfectants have to be made available at the entrances, halls and restrooms of church buildings, community centres and church institutions.
Indoor worship services for more than 100 people are only allowed in churches where safety distance can be secured. Where this is not possible, participation should be limited to 100 participants. Where more than one service is held on a Sunday, a break of at least half an hour between them should be kept for proper ventilation.
Congregations are encouraged to organize weekday evening services with a Sunday liturgy so that all congregation members can attend worship services. Conferences, retreats and meetings organized by congregations or church institutions are only allowed if preventive measures can be fully observed.
Church members are asked to act responsibly and keep social distance in general, and avoid community as soon as they discover any symptoms in their family. They are requested to get tested before returning to the community.
A lot of congregations have been broadcasting their services online and links are published on RCH’s website. Pastors of the congregations in bigger cities are encouraged to consult with each other regarding the limitation of the number of participants at Sunday worships, and inform church members about possibilities to visit neighbouring churches temporarily.
In addition, RCH’s Presidium warned church members to share only well-established and verified information on social media, and to refrain from irresponsible statements on various platforms.
“We ask our brothers and sisters to follow all relevant health regulations. Please, continue praying for the end of the epidemic, for the patients, for those working in health and social care institutions, and for the responsible decision-makers,” reads in the appeal.
International travel ban
According to the latest government decree, taking effect on September 1st to contain the spread of the coronavirus, foreign citizens will be barred from entering Hungary, with a few exceptions, while Hungarians returning from abroad will have to self-quarantine for 14 days, or until they produce two negative tests taken two days apart. Foreign nationals with permanent Hungarian residency (and their close family members) as well as those who hold a permit of stay for more than 90 days are treated the same way as Hungarian citizens. Citizens of the so called Visegrad Group countries are exempt from the regulation. in the case of Polish, Czech, and Slovakian citizens, tests taken abroad are accepted. For updates follow the official Government website: https://koronavirus.gov.hu/