Hungary has shut its borders to non-residents owing to a spike in coronavirus infection, triggering a warning from Hungarian budget carrier Wizz Air it may have to trim capacity later this year.
Cabinet chief Gergely Gulyas confirmed the move in a press briefing late last week, with the decision coming into effect on Tuesday (1 September).
It means Hungary becomes the first country in the EU’s Schengen area to close its borders again to limit the spread of Covid-19. Much of the Schengen area reopened to intra-EU travel in late-June into early-July.
The border will remain closed for an initial one-month period.
Hungary’s decision is the most significant escalation of Covid protection measures in the EU, with several other countries having reimposed states of emergency or introduced stronger public protection policies such as tougher rules on face masks.