Hungary Closes Stores, Schools to Curb Surge Due to Variants

Nurse Szilvia Lukacs administers a shot of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V to a patient at Zala County Szent Rafael Hospital in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, on Feb. 19, 2021, as the vaccination with Sputnik V against the new coronavirus continues in the country. Gyorgy Varga/MTI via AP, File

BUDAPEST, Hungary—Hungarians on Monday awoke to a new round of strict lockdown measures aimed at slowing a record-breaking wave of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.

A rapid rise in pandemic indicators since early February prompted Hungary’s government to announce the new restrictions, including closing most stores for two weeks and kindergartens and primary schools until Apr. 7. Most services are also required to cease operations, and the government urged businesses to allow employees to work from home. Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and tobacconists can stay open.